Has anyone ever asked you about your preference between fruits and vegetables? People tend to answer that they enjoy eating both, but we often wonder which of them brings more benefits to our health. Through daily observation, you might have noticed that younger kids often favor fruits over vegetables. On the other hand, older people enjoy eating more vegetables than fruits because they claim fruits have more sugar content.
Fruits and vegetables have similar functions but looking deeper you might realize that although both come from plants, they belong to different classifications. By tending to consume more fruits, are you missing out on important nutrients that are in vegetables? Are fruits and vegetables equally healthy?
The Difference Between Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits are part of flowering plants, that are products of flowers maturation. Most fruits are the only edible products of a plant and it’s hard to believe that actually, their aim is to disseminate seeds. Usually, fruits are characterized by sweet taste and they may either be fleshy or dry. The majority of fruits can be consumed raw or processed into canned goods, as well as made into beverages. These products of plants growth are rich sources of vitamins, minerals, water, and fiber.
Vegetables, on the other hand, are edible plants or parts of the plants, excluding fruit and seeds. The word ‘vegetable’ actually comes from ‘vegetus’ which means a process of a plant growth. Although vegetables are low in protein and fat, they contain large doses of vitamins and minerals.
The Importance of Fruits
There is a wide range of fruits available. Each of them provides different types of nutrients. Here are some interesting examples:
Citrus fruits like orange, lime, and lemon are the best sources of vitamin C and antioxidants that improve the defense reaction of our organism in case of infections
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene that has shown their effectiveness in combating certain types of cancer
Apples aid the process of body detoxification
Pomegranates are said to improve skin condition by reducing and preventing wrinkles
Bananas are rich in potassium – a mineral responsible for nerve transmission and muscle contraction
Fruits are natural sources of sugar that serve as fuel for our bodies in order to produce energy. They are low in sodium and cholesterol-free. They are quickly digested in the stomach and, what is more, they contain fiber that helps our body during the fat elimination process. That means that eating fruits is a natural solution to lose weight. It is advised that an average person consume at least 2 cups of fruits daily.
The Importance of Vegetables
There is also a great variety of vegetables that come with corresponding nutritional contents.
Most of them have a low glycemic index in comparison to their sweet counterparts. Vegetables are oftentimes preferred by individuals who wish to limit their sugar consumption. These edible parts of plants are loaded with fiber and are therefore helpful in the digestion process.
Green leafy vegetables are abundant in minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium. These types of vegetables are also packed with vitamin K that is a key player in blood coagulation
Yellow vegetables and red vegetables are rich in different flavonoids and vitamins like A and E
Mushrooms have high protein content. Some of them have additionally anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties
Legumes are also considered to be good sources of protein, as well as manganese, folate, and potassium
A person should consume about 3-5 servings of vegetables per day. One serving is usually considered as ½ cup.
Are Fruits and Vegetables Equally Healthy
Basically, fruits and vegetables are both natural sources of essential nutrients. However, the type and amount of nutrients vary according to the type of vegetables and fruits. Nutritionists suggest that a balanced diet should be composed of different kinds of both fruits and vegetables in order to make sure that you don’t miss out on any important and healthy components.
