Fruits with the best health benefits, as study reveals grapes can improve eyesight
Incorporating plenty of fruits into what you eat on a daily basis is an important way to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
Different fruits have different health benefits, and nutritionists recommend eating a wide variety to give your body a boost wherever it needs. Some foods could even be beneficial to specific body functions, and a new study has suggested that one type of fruit could help improve your vision in old age.
Grapes, which are full of powerful antioxidants, have been found to benefit vision when eaten every day. According to a study published in the scientific journal Food & Function recently - which is said to be the first of its kind - showed that eating one-and-a-half cups of grapes every day for 16 weeks resulted in a “significant” benefit in the eye health of older adults.
The researchers found that the adults who ate the grapes saw an improvement in Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD), which has beneficial effects on the retina, and showed an increase in plasma antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content.
Dr Jung Eun Kim, who led the study, said: “Our study is the first to show that grape consumption beneficially impacts eye health in humans, which is very exciting, especially with a growing ageing population. Grapes are an easy, accessible fruit that studies have shown can have a beneficial impact in normal amounts of just one-and-a-half cups per day.”
Aside from grapes, a number of other fruits contain essential vitamins and nutrients that can help us live healthier lives. We asked registered nutritionist Caroline Farrell about which fruits have the most nutritional benefits.
Blueberries
Farrell says: “These are high in antioxidants called anthocyanins, which have been linked to improved cognitive function and reduced risk of heart disease.”
Cherries
These juicy fruits may raise melatonin levels, which could improve sleep quality.
Avocado
Although often considered a vegetable, avocados are actually a fruit! Farrell says: “They are rich in healthy fats, particularly monosaturated fats, which are good for heart health.”
Grapes
Apart from being good for your vision, grapes - especially red grapes - contain resveratrol, an antioxidant that protects against ageing.
Pineapples
Pineapples are a good source of bromelain, an enzyme that may aid digestion.
Mangoes
These sweet tropical fruits are rich in vitamins A and C, Farrell says, which are beneficial for skin health and immune function.
Cranberries
They might be at their most popular at Christmas dinner, but cranberries are actually known for their role in improving urinary tract health.
Watch: the 5 Best Fruits to Help Improve Your Heart Health
Read more:
An apple a day: Is it time for GPs to prescribe fruit and veg? (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)
