Nutritional Benefits of Seasonal Fruits
Fruits and vegetables are available to us year-round, but did you know each season has its unique list of fruits and veggies? Well, it’s true! Eating fresh fruits and vegetables when in season is more flavorful and nutritious because the fruits and vegetables are not processed or preserved. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are often told to be very nutritious and healthy. It’s always good to eat what’s in the season.
So, let’s explore the facts behind eating seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Higher Nutritional Value:
Seasonal fruits have higher nutritional value because they are fresher and consumed closer to harvesting. Usually, antioxidants like folate, Vitamin C, and carotenes rapidly decline when stored for longer. Also, grocers buy out-of-season produce preserved in wax, irradiated, and gassed to extend their shelf life. Always consume fruits as per their season because they are much healthier and preservative-free.
Environment-Friendly:
If you start eating season fruit rather than buying them offseason, it will support local farming and produce. As a result, there would be irradiation of produce, less refrigeration, fewer hot houses and less transportation which goes into demand for out-of-season produce.
Comparatively Cheaper:
When you source something from outside, transportation and storage costs come along. In the case of seasonal foods, they’re locally sourced and available abundantly. Hence, it reduces the cost of production. If there’s demand for out-of-season produce, the rates go much higher, and the production costs are passed onto the consumer. So, buying seasonal fruits and vegetables is good for you and your wallet.
Better in taste:
The seasonal produce tastes better because it has been naturally ripened or harvested at the correct time. It just adds on more nutrition and flavour. The crop which is artificially ripened or harvested early isn’t suitable for your body because it hampers the quality of the food. The best example is overly fibrous out-of-season pineapple which tastes very weird and can harm your body. Try to consume organic fruits and vegetables to attain the maximum benefit.