Reasons To Eat Organic Seasonal Fruits
Our eating habits and the food we consume largely determine how we feel and look. The best way to have a healthy body and sound mind is to eat the right food at the right time. If you have ever heard your mother or grandmother encouraging you to eat a particular fruit during a season, it’s because seasonal fruits and vegetables grow best during their season. It is nature’s way of telling you to devour these fresh and nutrient-rich fruits while they are still in their best condition. These fruits are not processed or preserved and are better for your body. Some fruits like Bananas, pomegranate, Papaya, Sweet Lime, and are available all year round. Still, most fruits are seasonal and provide some nutritional benefits that strengthen your immunity for the season.
What Are Organic Fruits?
When we say something is organic, we usually mean that it is locally grown without the addition of chemicals, pesticides and other synthetic substances that could potentially cause harm. Organic seasonal fruits are grown naturally and how nature intended for it to grow. That is why they are seasonal. Not all fruits are supposed to be available throughout the year.
Organic fruits are different because not only are they naturally produced, they also come packed with several nutrients and health benefits. For example, fruits available during the summer such as cucumber, watermelon and pineapple provide excellent hydrating properties that help beat the heat.
Benefits of Eating Organic Fruits
Here are some reasons you need to consider switching to locally grown and farmer-sourced fruits that are seasonal and organically produced.
1. You get fresher fruits
Organic seasonal fruits are purchased directly from farmers, and hence they are bound to be fresher than fruits available at regular vendors. However, you may not know how long they have been sitting out or been on the shelves. Moreover, if you buy fruits that are not grown locally, they may be shipped in from overseas and may travel for a longer time, reducing their likelihood of being fresh and completely healthy.
2. They are healthier and more nutrient-rich
More nutrients are retained when you consume fruit that has been picked fresh from the tree and has spent less time travelling or lying about waiting to be eaten. Research suggests that fruits grown organically have an increased amount of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. In certain products, greater sun exposure yields more antioxidants, which is why eating seasonal fruits like berries, grapes, apples, etc will provide you with more immune-boosting antioxidants in their particular season. A study comparing in-season broccoli to out-of-season broccoli revealed that the produce that was out of season contained only half the concentration of Vitamin C as compared to the one in season.
3. Free from pesticides and chemicals
Because organically grown fruits do not have pesticides or other synthetic substances added to make them grow, pesticide residues in organic seasonal fruits are very low as compared to other fruits. Due to the high consumer demand, people expect all fruits to be accessible all year round, which compels the farmers to add chemicals to improve and fasten the growth of their fruits. In this process, the fruit does come out looking perfect, but lacks the taste and nutrients that are present in organic fruits. The chemicals you ingest unknowingly may have detrimental effects on your body.
4.They taste better
When you see a fresh and perfectly ripe fruit being sold, you just take one look at it and you know that it will be incredibly sweet and tasty. Fruits and vegetables that have been allowed to naturally mature on the tree and harvested at the appropriate time will have significantly more flavour and nutrients. One of the benefits of eating seasonal fruits is its juiciness and naturally sweet taste that is hard to get over once you try it!
5.They are environment friendly
One of the best organic fruits benefits is that it is sustainable and eco-friendly. By choosing to buy seasonal produce, you are supporting the produce that grows naturally and putting less pressure on the environment. Growing organic fruits also means no chemicals are added that percolate into the soil, water and air, damaging our environment.
6. It supports local farmers
It feels good to buy from organic brands that support local farmers who work hard to grow their fresh produce through natural means instead of buying packaged fruits. These companies charge higher and add preservatives that ruin the nutritional value of the fruit. When more people come together and choose to buy organic seasonal fruits, the price of the fruit goes down considerably, and this is the most sustainable option in the long run.
Benefits of eating seasonal fruits
The seasonality of fruits and vegetables also varies from year to year, which means that you are eating foods that are at their peak of freshness and nutritional value. Check out more benefits of eating seasonal fruits:
1. Avoids Overseas Contamination
When buying fruits and vegetables from other countries during off-season, you never know what pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides they use. Many countries have lax regulations when it comes to the use of chemicals on fruits and veggies, which other countries have forbidden due to their demonstrated harmful effects. Soil contamination tests may not be regulated in overseas agriculture to ensure land and soil quality. Due to the presence of industrial sites in the same area, some agricultural areas have been found to have extremely high levels of heavy metal and other harmful contaminants.
2. Fosters Sustainable Diet
The majority of today's conventional food systems are unsustainable. They deplete resources and have disastrous consequences for the ecosystem. Diets that are sustainable should include:
- Short-distance production and consumption nets
- Food processing and refinement are kept to a bare minimum
- Supporting diet and nutrition education, as well as strong ties to the good
3. Supports Local Communities
By purchasing seasonal fruit from your local area, you are supporting local commerce and, as a result, generating wealth in your immediate surroundings. You develop stronger links between farmers and customers when local agricultural economies are healthier. Building community connections through local agriculture has been demonstrated to have a favourable influence on farmers' economic well-being and people's diets through fostering social links through the food production system, according to research.
4. Environmental benefits:
Having food grown outside of its natural season is only possible when humans artificially create seasonal weather conditions. Fossil fuels (non-renewable energy) and vast amounts of water required for this process have a detrimental effect on the environment. They contribute to various environmental challenges such as global warming and climate change.
5. Support's body needs natural nutritional needs:
Eating in accordance with the seasons provides the body with the necessary nutrition. The winter brings a variety of citrus that are high in Vitamin C, which supports the body in its fight against coughs and colds. Soups, stews, casseroles and stews made with the winter veggies are rich and nourishing.
Conclusion
Eating organic seasonal fruits is one of the best ways to protect your health. Not only do organic fruits often taste better than conventional fruits, but they’re also better for you. Organic fruits are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and herbicides, which means they’re better for you and the environment. When you buy organic fruits online or from the physical stores, you’re supporting a system that’s better for your body and the planet. Today, many people are choosing to eat organic foods instead of conventional foods. In general, organic foods are higher in nutrients and lower in chemicals than conventional foods.
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