8 Very Healthy and Very Tasty Tropical Fruit!
We're
used to hearing that tasty and healthy rarely go together, but these
tropical fruit easily prove otherwise. In rain forests and tropical
climates around the world grow treasures rich in both nutrients and
taste - meet 8 easy to come by exotic fruit that really pack a healthy
punch.
Guava
Carambola
Remember: Consume these fruit in their raw form, not as dried fruit (high in sugar) or as canned.
Asai
This
fruit comes to us straight from the Amazonas area and was brought to
the rest of the world by hikers from other countries. The asai is a type
of palm tree with a small purple fruit that is considered a
'antioxidant bomb'. The extremely high level of antioxidants the asai
contains have made it a very sought after anti-aging tool, in addition
to its exotic taste. Additionally, the asai is a fruit that is rich in
protein and contains Omega 6 and Omega 9 fatty acids. Due to its low
sugar content, it is also safe for diabetes patients to eat.
Guava
The
guava mainly grows in the Caribbeans and the nations of South and
Central America. In addition to vitamins, potassium and fiber, the guava
is also a rich source of potassium, an element needed for a variety of
biological processes in the body. The guava contains anti-bacterial
materials as well as substances that lower the blood sugar levels. It is
also known to relax clenched muscles and aids the digestive system.
Mango
The
mango may not be so exotic in all places, but it originally comes from
the rain forests of India and China. Like other tropical fruit, the
mango is rich in vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber, as well as
antioxidants. The mango fruit also contains a lot of iron, crucial for
burning energy and every action the body takes. Almost every part of the
mango tree can be used for medicinal purposes.
Carambola
This
wax-textured, star shaped fruit is not very common, but can still be
found in specialized fruit shops. It comes from the tropical climates of
South East Asia. Each fruit is about 40 calories and is a great source
of vitamin C essential for the immune system, especially during the
winter, as well as a fantastic source of vitamin A, which is known to
improve sight and skin function.
Kiwi
The
hairy fruit with the sweet & sour taste comes from South China. The
kiwi is among the fruit with the highest Vitamin C content in the
world, twice more than oranges. It is a great source of magnesium,
essential for the heart and blood systems, and also a fat-free source of
vitamin E, which is rare in fruit. It is also known as a great natural
remedy for the flu and the various parts of the plant (including the
fruit), aid in the battle against joint pain, kidney stones and various
types of cancer.
Papaya
From
Central America comes this beautiful orange fruit, packed full of great
nutrients. It has a unique enzyme called papain which helps to
disassemble protein and helps in renewing tissue. In traditional Chinese
medicine, the papaya is a remedy for constipation. It also contains a
lot of folic acid, which helps keep our DNA, bone marrow and blood cells
intact.
Passionfruit (aka passiflora)
This
fruit has become more popular in recent years, and some even grow it in
their back yard for its vitamin A and C content , for its potassium
levels and its fiber. It is only about 16 calories a fruit and is known
to have great relaxation effects, and so we recommend eating it before
sleep to treat insomnia. It is also chock full of antioxidants.
Pineapple
Like
many of the others on this list, the pineapple originally comes from
the tropical areas of South America - mainly Brazil, Bolivia and
Paraguay. The pineapple also contains a lot of vitamin A and C, but
what's special about it is the bromelain - an enzyme that has strong
anti-bacterial properties and is essential to the digestive system. It
is even used in mainstream medicine, but is best taken directly from raw
food.