FRUITS IN GHANA AND ITS IMPORTANCE,
One may ask what fruits contain and why are they good for us,
Surely everyone has heard by now that the recommended daily intake of fruits is 5 portions. Government health department and agencies all over the world have been expounding this for a number of years now, even more so now when we are faced with a growing nation of unhealthy and in many cases, obesess and unfit people.
In some instances the recommended intake of fruit is steadily rising to 13 portions a day, in the hope of encouraging people to become healthier and look after their body inside and out.
It is very important as to how we can keep out body healthy with fruits. Due to the result of extensive research, we cannot get away from the facts that they are extremely good for us and that eating a diet rich in fruits can lower the risk or prevent a number of serious illness and health problems, such as cancer and high blood pressure.
We must not forget that the majority of fruits in Ghana do not contain any unhealthy fats or cholesterol and are very low in calories all which will help us to maintain a fantastic figure and prevent us from piling on the pound.
RISK OR NEGATIVE EFFECTS WITH FRUITS.
Without the intake of fruits, pressure will put on our hospitals and government as many of our today’s illness are related to diet and could be avoided if people looked after themselves by taking or easting more fruits and vegetables. With this a huge amount of money spent in taking care of you could be saved and thus spent in other areas of the national health care system where necessary.
WHAT IS IN OUR FRUIT AND VEGATABLES
Fruits and vegetables are packed full of goodness and often contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals that cannot be found in other types of foods or they many contain higher level of these nutrient than other foods. They are also made up of water that sum up to 94 percent which is also essential for the body and their skin and seeds contain plenty of fibre which our body needs to help cleanse and rid itself of waste and toxins, fibre in fruits and vegetables is needed to keep bowel movements regular, lower cholesterol, prevent constipation, bowel cancer and other illness of the intestine. Different coloured fruit and vegetables contain different mineral, nutrient and antioxidants and therefore it is recommended that we consume a wide variety of fruit and vegetables in order to receive the benefit from the various types. An example are the dark green leafy vegetables such as cabbage or spinach contain certain arytenoids that protect, delay and may prevent eye disease.
They are also rich in vitamin C and E. Red, orange and yellow coloured fruits and vegetables such as melon, tomatoes, carrots and apricot contain lots of vitamin A, C and E which all help to fight certain types of cancer and act by neutralising free radicals in the body. Fruits and vegetables are also rich in Vitamin B and K plus mineral such as potassium, calcium and iron,
It is very necessary to eat 5 portions of fruit per day. Ensure that you vary your intake of fruit and vegetables. Don’t always stick to the same fruit as you could find that are still lacking some nutrient.
As long as you are consuming lots of fruits and vegetables it doesn’t really matter whether they are raw, cooked tinned, dried fresh or frozen, obviously, care must be taken with tinned fruit and it is often kept in a sweet syrup which can cause tooth decay and other problems. Fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season are best as if they are eaten raw and as fresh as possible valuable nutrients are less likely to be lost. Care must be taken when cooking vegetable as boiling them in the losts of water can destroy up to 7o percent of vitamin C and other water soluble nutrient
SOME FRUITS IN GHANA AND ITS IMPORTANCE.
ORANGE.
With the different types of fruit in Ghana, orange is having an important place. It is rich in Vitamin C
First remember that Vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid which is water soluble vitamin. Vitamin C plays an important role for the proper functioning of our healthy immune system, so orange is a rich source of vitamin C. Lack of oranges can result in a disease known as scurvy, symptom include gum bleeding, intestinal haemorrhage head ache etc,
Orange also helps to prevent ageing, this mean orange protect your skin so it is good to eat oranges daily. Adult and children should eat this fruit.
BANANA.
Banana is high in iron; it can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.
Banana helps to prevent, blood pressure- because it is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, it makes it perfect food for helping to beat blood pressure. It also helps in brain power. Research has shown that the potassium packed fruit can assist learning by making pupil more alert.
Banana can also help in constipation. It helps to restore normal bowel action helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and with the help of honey build up depleted blood sugar level. Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer for from a heart burn try eating a banana for a soothing relief.
Before reaching for an insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of t is a banana skin. It is amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation nerves. According to reach eating banana as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40 percent.
Banana is really a natural remedy for many illnesses. It has an exciting nutritional story. They are good source of fibre, vitamin C and potassium, one banana has 16 percent of fibre 15 percent of vitamin C and 11percent of potassium that we need every day for good health.
