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Many people tend to think of fruit as a summer food. But you may not know that there are plenty of options of fresh healthy fruit available throughout the winter.
The cold weather months are prime time for citrus in the US, but there are many other fruits that can give you a vitamin boost and can help your immune system function at its best, according to Everyday Health. Check out these seven best fruits to eat during the winter.
Citrus
Citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines, clementines, grapefruit, and lemons are available fresh throughout the winter, according to The Spruce Eats. Oranges and other citrus fruits pack quite a punch of vitamin C which helps your body produce white blood cells to help fight off viruses and bacteria. Just one orange contains 82 mg of vitamin C. But that’s not all, citrus fruits also contain a large amount of fiber too.
Grapefruits contain lycopene which is an antioxidant that can help protect your cells from oxidation which could cause chronic diseases including some cancers, stressed Everyday Health.
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Strawberries
These juicy berries are a superfruit because of the vitamins and minerals they contain. The antioxidants in strawberries could help prevent some chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These berries are great for diabetics because the fruit could help control blood sugar. Strawberries are also a great source of hydration.
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Pears
This late fall and winter fruit is very good for your gut. That’s because it contains almost six grams of fiber. Your immune system needs fiber because it encourages good bacteria – microbiome – to flourish in your gut. Fiber helps to reduce inflammation and helps to strengthen your immune system. Pears are a great go-to fruit for the cold weather months.
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Pomegranates
Just one cup of this festive and colorful fruit is a great source of fiber and vitamin C. Pomegranates are also rich in vitamin K that promotes blood clotting and healthy bones. The fruit also contains antiviral and anti-bacterial properties. In fact, pomegranates are one of the healthiest fruits you can eat.
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Kiwi
According to News 18, This cold weather fruit is packed with important nutrients including vitamins C, K, and E, iron, fiber, as well as antioxidants. These little gems also contain minerals that include magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper and zinc. Eating Kiwi helps to promote healthy skin, heart health, and could protect your eyes from vision loss.
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Pineapple
This delicious tropical fruit is also an excellent source of vitamin C and contains 78.9 mg per cup. This highly nutritious fruit also contains vitamins A, B6, E, and K as well as folate, and essential minerals that include iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Pineapples also contain other health benefits including antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and bromelain that can help your digestive system.
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Cranberries
This winter holiday staple is full of healthy nutrition and is a good source of vitamin C. A review of studies published in Advances in Nutrition, found that cranberries can help lower cholesterol and may prevent coronary artery disease. These little red berries also help with promoting gut health and contain a host of other healing properties.Enjoy cranberries fresh or dried.
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