When most of us hear fruits, we think of healthy and good alternatives to candy. Yes it is true, fruits are healthy. However, fruits are also nature's version of candy as it consists a lot of sugar in the form of fructose.Some studies suggest fructose, the main type of sugar found in fruit, can even be more harmful than other sugars (namely, glucose). Fructose has even been linked to increased belly fat, slowed metabolism, and overall weight gain. It isn't that fruits are "bad" for you, but just watch the amount of sugar intake from that source and other sources.
The American Heart Association recommends no more than 26 grams of sugar per day for women, or 36 grams per day for men. And for men and women ages 19 to 30, the USDA recommends two cups of fruit per day. With the an excessive amount of fruit intake or a few smoothies here and there, it is facile to surpass that sugar intake recommendation. This can be bad news of you when you step of the scale, and realize that you are short on your goals.
The Benefits of Eating Fruits
May reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.
Eating vegetables and fruits rich in potassium as part of an overall healthy diet may lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss.
Eating foods such as fruits that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake.
Diets rich in potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Fruit sources of potassium include bananas, prunes and prune juice, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, and orange juice.
