Springtime is just around the corner in Canada, and with the onset of a new season comes the arrival of our well-loved fruits. It’s always a thrill to see rows of hampers in supermarkets, knowing that the fresh produce that they contain is filled with important nutrients that our body needs. With that in mind, we’ve decided to list down some of the popular fruit varieties that’ll be hitting Canadian dinner tables this spring, and how they keep us fit and healthy.
Pineapples Named as Canada’s all-time favorite tropical fruit, pineapples are known for their distinctive juiciness that combines the flavors of sweet and tart. While pineapples can be bought all year-round, it is during springtime that their production and supply reach their peak. Pineapples contain essential vitamins and minerals that are needed by the body, such as vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, manganese, and fiber. The fruit is known for its myriad of health benefits, such as improved immunity, stronger bones, helps better digestion, and prevention of vision loss (Macular degeneration).
Strawberries Markets selling fruit will also be filled with fragrant strawberries – considered as a “super fruit” by renowned food experts. A plethora of health benefits can be derived from eating strawberries, like stronger immunity, better weight management, prevention of cardiovascular disease and memory loss, and anti-aging.
Apricots Apricots take around 10 weeks to grow, covering the spring and the summer seasons. While it is usually enjoyed all year-round in its dried form, eating fresh apricots is highly recommended in order to take advantage of its nutritional benefits. Apricots contain, among others, vitamin A, potassium and beta carotene, which help in the prevention of eyesight loss, constipation and heart-related diseases.
Cherries Who doesn’t love a tasty summer cherry? They are loaded with antioxidants making them a great fruit to help fight cancer and disease. Not only that, but they help to improve memory, reduce inflammation, help you lose weight and recalibrate our circadian rhythms via their richness in the antioxidant melatonin. Eat some cherries before bed and sleep sweetly!
Plums This stone fruit is a great way to satisfy your hunger. They are high in potassium which helps manage high blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. Plums help support a healthy digestive tract due to their high fibre levels and can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. They contain a supple amount of vitamin C, which strengthens our immune system as well as B vitamins (nerve support), vitamin A (vision) and iron (great blood-builder to help prevent chance of developing anemia).
Nectarines Nectarines are very vitamin and mineral dense. They contain antioxidants which help fight free radicals in our cells and protect against UVA rays from the sun (it is convenient that these summer fruits also help protect us during a time when our skin is most susceptible to burning!). Their richness in potassium helps protect our heart and the vitamin C content helps to produce collagen, a structural protein that helps hold tissue together and promotes wound healing. It is also the protein that leaves our skin looking young and supple, helping prevent wrinkles and fine lines.
Peaches Similar to nectarines, peaches are rich in a variety of minerals and vitamins. They contain vitamin A which protects and strengthens the health of our eyes as well as antioxidants like phenols which fight obesity-related diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Interestingly, peaches are a wonderful stress-reliever which help reduce anxiety, and they are high in the mineral selenium, helping to prevent DNA damage and thus protecting against random mutations which could later manifest as cancer.
