Seven Summer Fruits Your Child Must Have

Fruits and vegetables are at their nutritional peak during their prime growing season. And summer is a great season to enjoy delicious seasonal juicy fruits that not only satisfy your sweet taste buds but also provide maximum nutritional benefits to us.

Here Priya Singh, Editor Guardian Health Chronicle brings to you seven top must have summer fruit and their health benefits. Eat yourself and make sure your kids gorge on these to stay on top of health this summer -

Watermelon – Juicy and sweet, this summer fruit not only helps to quench the thirst but is also a good source of beta carotene, vitamin C, pectin, lycopene, potassium and iron. True to its name watermelon has extremely high water content and a crumbly and subtly crunchy flesh which makes it a favourite thirst-quenching fruit. Enriched with lycopene, Vitamin A and C, watermelon acts as an antioxidant powerhouse for body. Furthermore it is a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium which makes it a natural resource of energy for our body. With all these additive properties, proper and regular intake of watermelon can help in treating kidney, bladder and other digestive problems.

Cucumbers – One of the best foods for your skin, joints, & energy levels, cucumbers are loaded with the mineral silica, which is an essential component for healthy connective tissue (muscles, ligaments, cartilage, bone, & skin). It is also full of ionic potassium, magnesium, & vitamin C which give it a powerful alkalizing effect within the body. Additionally, cucumbers are particularly rich in fluids that hydrate the skin, joints, and tissues. So fix this fruit in your daily food habits to stay healthy and cool this summer.

Berries – Enjoy most of the berries in summer. The phytochemicals in blue berries, blackberries, strawberries helps boost immunity, have a protective effect against cancer, protects against heart diseases and circulatory problems. Cranberries have a healing effect in urinary tract infection. So make berries of any kind, as per your choice as a must bought item of your fruit cart.

Peaches and Plums – These contain good amount of vitamin C, beta carotene, antioxidant phytochemicals and anthocyanins all of which help to eliminate the free radicals from the body and helps to reduce anemia, fatigue as well as high cholesterol.

Papayas– It is an excellent source of vitamin C, beta carotene, vitamin A and fiber. With plenty of fibers it is also called as a Digestive aid. Papayas are the only natural source of papain, an effective natural digestive aid, which breaks down protein and cleanses the digestive tract. Also this is great for weight loss and is often used as a natural remedy for constipation too.

Cherries – Bright red cherries not only taste great but also contain ellagic acid which inhibits the growth of carcinogenic cells in the body. It is highly recommended for glowing skin.

Pineapples – Besides being packed with most of the vitamins and minerals, pineapple is a very good source of an enzyme bromelain which aids digestion. It contains antioxidants that protect the body against diseases and are also great for digestion and weight loss.