Health Benefits of Tropical Fruits
With the modern-day conveniences of transportation, you don’t have to live in the tropics to enjoy the health benefits of tropical fruits and plants. All you need is a way to get to your local grocery store or farmers market to gather up the heart-healthy nutrients of these colorful and exotic sweets from Mother Nature.
Health Benefits of Tropical Fruits
There are a number of tropical fruits from all over the world that are power-packed with vitamins and minerals to benefit your mind and body. Below are five of our favorite tropical fruits which will give you added health benefits throughout the day.
- Acai Berries – These dark, Brazilian fruits are the size of a blueberry and taste like wild berries. Acai is considered a “superfood” because it has both anthocyanins and essential fatty acids. However, be careful before biting down on acai berries as they contain a large seed. Enjoy acai berries in smoothies or dried and blended in your favorite cereal or granola mix.
- Passion Fruit – These egg-shaped fruits (often called “little pomegranate” in Spanish) can be found in various colors (red, yellow, or purple). They are rich in vitamin A and vitamin C, potassium, and fiber and make the perfect 16 calories per fruit topping for salads or dishes made with fish, chicken, or pork. You can also enjoy their guava-like flavor in juices, cocktails, and desserts.
- Guava – This sweet, oval-shaped fruit is a blend of pears and strawberries, making for a delicious dessert or jelly. You can get guava with or without seeds, but regardless of its shape or color, it is packed with vitamin C. Guava also contains vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and phosphorus.
- Papaya – There are all types of papaya, and they contain papain which is a digestion-helping enzyme. Papaya is usually pear-shaped and can be anywhere from 7-20 inches long. Its rich orange, buttery-like flesh is high in fiber.
- Star Fruit – This golden-yellow Asian fruit is shaped like a—you guessed it—star! It is a “eat on the go” fruit, much like an apple, and has a bittersweet flavor. Star fruit, otherwise known as carambola, is only 40 calories with tons of vitamin C. (However, if you have kidney problems, avoid star fruit.)
Health Benefits of Tropical Plants
Not only are tropical plants beautiful to look at, but you can think of tropical plants as fresh air factories. Whether you have a wide assortment of tropical plants lining your garden, workspace, office, bedroom, or bathroom-turned-spa, these fresh air factories can directly improve your health.
Tropical plants, like all other plants, use the process of photosynthesis to absorb carbon dioxide and manufacture oxygen. We work in tandem as humans need oxygen. It’s the perfect partnership, thereby improving our air quality.
In addition, a NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) study has proven that plants act as air purifiers that absorb those harmful toxins (trichloroethylene, benzene, and formaldehyde) that exist in your environment. These toxins can be found in paint, ink, varnishes, lacquer, rubber, detergents, foam insulation, adhesives, particle board or pressed wood products.
As a result of too many toxins and not enough fresh air factories, you can get sore throats, stuffy noses, headaches, respiratory irritation, and nausea as well as eye and skin irritation.
What’s more, tropical plants are visual can add new life and aesthetic appeal to your environment, improving the mood and disposition of those around you.
