Cathal BarryThe summer is an excellent time to make the most of the abundance of fresh, delicious and healthy food choices available to us.
Many of summer’s fruits and vegetables are brimming with bonus health benefits.
Here are a few that will leave your taste bud’s tingling:
Corn
Sweet corn is the ideal accompaniment to a summer barbeque. Not only does it taste great, it also boasts an array of health benefits too. Sweet corn is loaded with antioxidants that help to form macular pigment that filters out some of the sun’s damaging rays and promotes healthy vision. The same antioxidants may also help lower your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. A midsize ear also offers a helpful dose of dietary fibre.
Tomatoes
Red, ripe and juicy, tomatoes go great with leafy green summer salads. Aside from the great taste and colour they add to dishes, this popular fruit packs a serious nutritional punch. Tomatoes contain a wide array of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants and are a rich source of vitamins A and C.
The vitamin B and potassium in tomatoes mean they are effective in reducing cholesterol levels and lowering blood pressure. Tomatoes also help keep your hair shiny and strong and do wonders for your eyes, skin, bones and teeth.
Watermelon
This popular holiday fruit not only tastes great, it’s high water content helps you stay hydrated which keeps your memory sharp and your mood stable.
Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B and C, and lots of antioxidants. In addition to being low in fat and calories, the amino acids in watermelon has been shown to reduce the accumulation of fat in our fat cells.
Cucumber
Belonging to the same plant family as watermelon, cucumbers are made up of mostly (95%) water, which means eating them on a hot summer day can help you stay hydrated. With vitamin K, B vitamins, copper, potassium, vitamin C and manganese, cucumbers can help you to avoid nutrient deficiencies that are widespread among those eating a typical modern diet. Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress. Cucumbers also contain potassium, which is associated with lower blood pressure levels.
Berries
Whether its strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or any other berry, summer just wouldn’t be the same without them.
Berries are brilliant for your brain. They help preserve cognitive function and may even help you prevent memory loss as you age.
They’re rich in nutrients but relatively low in calories, containing less fructose than other fruits, so you can munch on them by the handful.
Berries also contain fibre and folate. Fibre aids in weight loss and helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Folate may protect against cardiovascular disease and age-related memory loss, and since folate contributes to the production of serotonin, it may also help ward off depression and improve your mood.