I probably don’t have to mention how important it is to add more color and variety to your diet by eating more vegetables and fruits. They are not only delicious but they are jam-packed with lots of healthy nutrients such as essential vitamins, minerals, and fibers. They help you to protect your precious body against all sorts of ailments, including strokes and certain types of cancer and are low in calories and fat.
Today’s post focusses on 10 tropical fruits you should consider adding to your diet on a regular basis to boost your immune system and fend off all sorts of diseases. Most people should aim for at least 9 servings of vegetables and fruits a day. Here’s why…
10 Life Changing Tropical Fruits You Should Eat More Often
1. Kiwi Fruit or Chinese Gooseberry
Delicious in smoothies, sprinkled in your morning yogurt, mixed in fruit salads or eaten plain. Studies have shown major improvements in overall health when eaten 5-7 servings a week. Kiwis are a great source of antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium and fiber which helps to prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
They have shown great results in protecting your lungs, digestive tract and balance blood sugar levels. The high levels of potassium also prevent your bones from weakening.
ALSO READ: Is Kiwi Skin Edible: To Peel Or Not To Peel?
2. Passion Fruit Or Passiflora Edulis
Great in smoothies, fruit juices or jam. Passion fruit is packed with healthy nutrients. Fibers to help with digestive problems and antioxidants which inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The high vitamin C content has anti-allergic properties and serves well for people suffering from asthma.
On top of that, it calms down your nerves and helps to relax even better. It is a great boost for your immune system as well.
CLICK HERE to download my FREE green smoothie eBook.
3. Avocado
Avocados are an excellent source of healthy fats and vitamin E. They show some unique health benefits when added regularly to your diet. Avocados promote overall heart health, help with weight management, show great results in fighting diabetes and enhance the ability to absorb nutrients from other foods.
They might improve/control Alzheimer’s, cancer and other health conditions. This power food can be added to your daily salads or smoothie to provide your body with the energy it needs when cutting down on carbs.
ALSO READ: Discover the Health Benefits of Avocado and 5 Easy Recipes!
4. Mangosteen
A well-known fruit in Asia, but gaining popularity in our Western regions for its many health benefits. Delicious tropical flavor and impressive list of healthy nutrients. Low in calories, high in vitamin C, vitamin B-complexes, anti-oxidants and minerals, this tropical fruit will enhance overall well-being.
Mangosteen has antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory benefits, it has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and immune system. It prevents high blood pressure, kidney stones, osteoporosis, depression, aging, obesity, allergies and skin diseases. It is also believed that it causes cell death in leukemia cells….and the list goes on! Truly one of those “super fruits”.
5. Papaya or Paw Paw
This high enzyme fruit is one of my favorites, and not only for its great taste. Papaya shows a wide range of health benefits going from protecting your body against cardiovascular diseases and anti-aging to losing weight and fighting and preventing the side effects of cancer.
But watch out when buying those healthy fruits, as most of the papayas sold in grocery stores are GMO these days!
Check out my previous blog post to learn more about this wonderful fruit.
Scroll down and discover more tropical healing fruits!
6. Longan Berry Or Dragons Eye
Logan Berry, the little brother of the lychee, contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A and minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium, and is very low in calories. The high levels of antioxidants protect your body from harmful free radicals which may cause heart diseases and cancer.
On top of that, it cuts down stress, fatigue and gives your immune system a boost to fend off the flu and other ailments. The seeds have been used for centuries as an antidote for snake bites, by pressing the head of the seed against the area of the bite, it absorbs the venom and cures the bite.
7. Soursop
Ever since we moved to the tropics soursop became my favorite fruit. The sour-sweet taste is excellent for juices or smoothies. The fruit is well-known for its many healing properties and enhances the immune system. Known as “natural cancer killer”, studies show that eating the fruit and steeping tea from its leaves can help attack and destroy cancer cells.
But that’s not all. Soursop is high in vitamin C and fiber, it increases energy, prevents nerve damage and maintains a healthy heart.
Ever since we moved to the tropics, I have been hooked to soursop. It tastes so good. Comparable with a custard apple but better and fewer seeds 😉
8. Coconut Water
Another daily favorite! Coconut water is refreshing and very healthy to keep your body hydrated. This wonderful and natural energy drink is low in calories, contains no fat or cholesterol and contains more potassium than four bananas. It has a wide range of benefits going from curing a hangover to preventing cancer and kidney stones.
The water is obtained from the green, fresh undamaged coconut. It’s clear and sterile water contains a unique mixture of natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes and much more. Due to the cytokines, the coconut water has anti-aging, anti-carcinogenic and anti-thrombotic properties.
ALSO READ: Is Coconut Water Healthy?
9. Pomegranate
Pomegranates are loaded with antioxidants to neutralize free radicals within your body. A glass of juice contains more antioxidants than green tea, blueberries, and cranberries.
Eating a pomegranate may seem a lot of work but it is definitely worth your time. Lowering cholesterol, boosting the immune system, suppressing cancer cells, antithrombotic properties and lowering blood pressure are only some of the healthy benefits pomegranate got to offer.
10. Starfruit Or Carambola
Starfruit has a wonderful sweet-sour taste and is gaining popularity in our western world. Great source of vitamin C, fiber and low in calorie. It has an impressive list of healthy nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins for your body’s overall healthy state. Starfruit is often recommended as a diuretic, expectorant and to suppress coughs.
The fruit is also known for curing hangovers and prickly heat. Although its many health benefits, people with a kidney disease should be careful as the fruit contains a lot of oxalic acids, which is harmful to them.
As you can see, eating lots of fruit will protect your body against many ailments and will provide you with the daily vitamins and minerals your body needs. A balanced body equals a balanced mind.
Here are some tips to help you in your quest to eat more fruits during the day. Keep your fruit where you can see it, then you’ll be more likely to eat it. Try to add fruits too, or after, your dishes and at snack times. Keep it interesting, variety is the key here. Make fruit one of your meals, like breakfast for instance. I love fruit salads in the mornings to pimp my yogurt. Or blend them into a delicious smoothie. CLICK HERE to download my FREE green smoothie eBook.
What’s your favorite tropical fruit? Share it with us in the comment box below!
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
this is interesting. i recommend Markizza Passion fruit juice and Markizza soursop juice, they’re my favorites. it taste just perfect!
Love tropical fruits, but we prefer to make our own juices to avoid additives and preservatives.