We all remember as children how we often resisted eating the fruit our mothers urged on us. We thought it unnecessary for health. Well, let me tell you that your mother was right and you were wrong to reject that fruit.
Fruit provides your body with appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Fruit is easily and quickly digestible, cooling, alkalizing and cleansing to your system. Its effects balance the excesses of protein and acidity concentrations in the body. Individuals who are overstressed physically and mentally benefit by eating fruit. It is replenishing and ideal in a hot climate. The combination of its alkaline and acid properties stimulates the liver, pancreas and digestive tract, making healthy tonics and natural laxatives.
It is best to eat fresh seasonal fruits grown locally. Because raw fruit and its juices are cooling and cleansing, they should not be consumed excessively by individuals with weakened and deficient conditions. Such weakened conditions benefit more from moderate amounts of dried or cooked fruit. Raw fruit, its juice, rind, skin, peel, pulp and seeds produce a healing, nourishing, cooling and cleansing effect on the body, balancing the system in different ways. The different fruits mentioned below have specific medicinal properties.
Apples cool the body and supply it with fluids; they stimulate the appetite and treat indigestion by inhibiting bacterial growth and fermentation. Pectin in apples sweeps away cholesterol, radiation residues and toxic metals such as mercury and lead. The fruit and its juice produce a cleansing effect on the liver and soften gallstones.
Bananas have cooling and thermal properties which are beneficial for many health problems — lubricating the intestines and treating constipation and ulcers. When steamed, they can be effective for diarrhea, colitis and hemorrhoids. It also softens a dry cough. Due to the high potassium content of bananas, it is suitable for athletes and those suffering from hypertension. Its high sugar content reduces sugar cravings. Due to its easy digestibility, banana is an ideal food for the elderly as well as for children and infants.
Oranges cool and moisten in hot weather. The juice, high in vitamin C and bioflavonoid, is good for weak digestion, inflammation and gum diseases. Citrus peel has a stimulating action on the digestive system and a resolving effect on mucus. Pectin in oranges deters the absorption of cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Watch out for commercial oranges, apples and bananas; they are often highly sprayed with pesticides. As for tangerines, they are just as beneficial as oranges.
Lemon and lime have cooling, antiseptic, anti-microbial and mucous-resolving properties and act on such conditions as dysentery, parasites, cold, flu and cough. Lemon cleanses the liver and blood. Its high vitamin C content improves mineral absorption and strengthens weak blood vessels. It also reduces fever and high blood pressure and calms the nerves.
Grapefruit helps poor digestion and belching, especially during pregnancy. The pungent bittersweet peel, like other citrus peel, stimulates and regulates the spleen-pancreas functions and relieves flatulence. The vitamin C and bioflavonoid properties of grapefruit improve blood circulation and arteries and treat gum diseases. Citrus seed extract acts as a natural antibiotic having antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal effects topically and internally. It is also a powerful disinfecting agent for your kitchen, water and home appliances.
Grapes are a good tonic to build and cleanse the blood and stimulate gland functions. Grape juice helps in the treatment of liver malfunctions resulting from hepatitis.
Papaya and its seeds have a digestive enzyme called papain that easily digests proteins. Eating one tablespoon of seeds or drinking tea made from the steeped seeds is used in the treatment of intestinal worms. Carpaine, another papaya compound, acts on tumors.
Fruit is quickly digested and the body benefits from it more when eaten alone. According to simple food principles, it is not recommended to mix fresh fruit with other types of food. It is also advised to eat naturally ripened fruit at least 30 minutes before meals. I suggest you take only fruit for breakfast to ensure your daily intake of it and to cleanse your system from possible toxin ingestion from the previous day. In this manner, fruit acts as a cleanser of the blood, removing extra acids — but remember that adding sugar gives the reverse effect. Some more advice: If you consume large amounts of very sweet fruit, you risk developing yeast overgrowth. This condition requires periods of fasts and eliminating fruit from the diet. On the other hand, sour fruit has astringent properties that counteract acid conditions by balancing it. An important reminder is to consider moderation at all times.
Because fruit is beneficial and a pleasure to eat, the Qur’an reminds us of the range of fruits in paradise. Meanwhile, our markets are brimming with homegrown and exotic fruits. Seasonal local fruits are best for your health. Help yourself to a fruit now and every day.
(Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected].)