Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
Fruits are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that help boost our immunity and promote our overall well-being. They are also high in fibre and antioxidants which reduce inflammation and support a healthy and regular bowel function.
The changing season during October provides an array of fresh fruits that are easily available throughout the coming season. These seasonal fruits promote our overall health and increase the body’s capability to tackle common seasonal ailments like allergies, viral fever, dengue, and malaria, and also prevent chronic illnesses like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, or cancer.
Different seasons have different impacts on our health, and consuming seasonal fruits ensures that we obtain important nutrients to protect ourselves from seasonal ailments. For instance, consuming a variety of fruits enriched with vitamin C during winters supports the body to fight off common winter ailments like cough and cold.
Seasonal fruits available during summers help prevent the skin from sun damage and also protect us from dehydration.
In this article, we will focus on the varied nutritional contents and health benefits of 5 fruits easily available in October.
Figs (anjeer)
Figs are naturally fat-free and cholesterol-free fruits that consist of several nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium, and can also be used as natural sweeteners
Heart diseases are some of the most prevalent ailments in India, which commonly occur due to potassium imbalance and high levels of sodium in the body, giving rise to high blood pressure. Figs are enriched with potassium and fibre, which helps balance the levels of potassium and remove excess sodium through excretion.
Figs also have a good amount of prebiotics, which help improve the overall gut health and resolve digestive issues like constipation and diarrhoea. Being a great source of minerals like calcium and potassium, regular consumption of figs can help increase bone density and prevent ailments like osteoporosis.
Plums
Plums are another easily available fruit that is enriched with nutrients like vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and folate. Consuming plums can help promote fast body healing, build muscles, promote blood circulation, and maintain healthy bones.
Plums are also enriched with high antioxidant properties which help manage anxiety and may protect from illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and even cancer. They also have high fibre content, which helps promote healthy digestion and manage blood sugar levels.
Dried plums are known as prunes (sukha aloo bukhara) and have the same nutritional values as plums, but are high in sugar content.
Limes
Limes are small green citrus fruits enriched with nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, calcium, iron, and protein. Limes have high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants, which help protect against several infections and speed up the healing process of our body.
These citrus fruits boost immunity to protect the body from other chronic illnesses like kidney stones & strokes and promote bone and tooth development.
Apples
Apples are highly nutritious and are enriched with fibre and antioxidant properties which help maintain a healthy digestive system, reduce the effects of acid reflux, and protect against blood vessels and heart damage. To obtain its complete nutritional value, an apple should be consumed without peeling.
Research proves that apples help in managing Type 2 diabetes and protect the cells in the pancreas. Apples are low in sodium, fat, and cholesterol, and are a great source of vitamin C, fibre, and several antioxidants which helps in:
- Protecting the cell’s DNA
- May prevent cancer
- Promotes lungs health
- Promotes heart health
- Aids in managing asthma
- Promotes bone health
- Boosts brain health
- Boosts immunity
- Promotes gut health
Guava
Guava is packed with nutrients such as fibre, iron, calcium, vitamin A, potassium, and is highly enriched with vitamin C. Consuming guava aids in improving digestion, managing stomach ailments like diarrhoea and constipation, managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), relieving painful menstrual periods, and boosting immunity to protect against a range of other illnesses.
Final thoughts
Autumn increases the chances of getting affected by allergies, viral fever, dengue, and malaria. Research proves that people who regularly eat more fruits are less prone to the risk of these common ailments of October and other chronic ailments like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
Getting an early or preventive diagnosis can help identify risks of health complications, and regularly eating the above-mentioned fruits can help boost immunity and may prevent the onset of serious complications.
