The Great Fruit Debate

In recent years, nutritional scientists have come to understand that processed sugars that are added to so many foods (especially in the form of corn syrup), feeds diseases like cancer, obesity and many other health ailments. The war on sugar is on, but there has been a casualty in that war: fruit.

The current “health” movement towards low-carb diets has put fruit on the do not eat list and has lead to the great fruit debate. Dietitians and nutritionists have started to claim that fruit contributes to diabetes and even feeds cancer. Trainers will claim that fruit is causing you to be overweight. As a result, fruit consumption in the United States has substantially declined in recent years. In 2000, the average American consumed 287 pounds of fruit per year. In 2012, that average had dropped to 245 pounds, a 15% decrease.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the health benefits of eating fruit are:

Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may reduce risk for heart disease, including heart attack and stroke.
Eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet may protect against certain types of cancers.
Diets rich in foods containing fiber, such as vegetables and fruits, may reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Eating vegetables and fruits rich in potassium as part of an overall healthy diet may lower blood pressure, and may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss.
Eating foods such as fruits that are lower in calories per cup instead of some other higher-calorie food may be useful in helping to lower calorie intake.

FRUIT IS NOT THE PROBLEM

fruit The dietitians, nutritionists and trainers are confused. A pound of fruit is not the same as a pound of sugar. The truth is that a pound of fruit is a unique blend of life-creating phytonutrients and phytochemicals that prevent disease (like cancer) and promote life. There is no other food (or pill) that enhances so many of your bodily functions as fruit. Fruit keeps your body going in ways that science hasn’t even begun to fully understand.

phytonutrients - a substance found in certain plants which is believed to be beneficial to human health and help prevent various diseases

phytochemicals - various biologically active compounds found in plants

Another truth is that fruit doesn’t even have that much sugar in it. Fruit is made up of living water, vitamins, minerals, pulp, fiber, antioxidants, pectin and other nutrients – and just a fraction of sugar.

Since humankind began, we have depended on fruit for our survival. I doubt that our ancestors had any type of great fruit debate. By limiting fruit in your diet, you will increase your chances of illness and shorten your lifespan. Fruit is best eaten by itself or paired with raw vegetables, especially leafy greens. No other food is as effective at preventing disease, killing pathogens and repairing the body.

WHAT FRUIT IS THE BEST?

Many of us live in a world where fresh fruit is available to us all year round. While a variety of fruit is optimal, the best fruit according to Anthony William (Medical Medium) is wild blueberry. Wild blueberry is the most antioxidant-rich food available.

antioxidant - a substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism

You can find wild blueberries in the frozen fruit section of your local grocery store. Every single wild blueberry contains thousands of years of survival information.

When you hear from a friend or practitioner that you should avoid fruit to help you improve your health or lose weight, remember you know the truth about the great fruit debate.

If you would like help improving your nutrition/diet, please set up a consultation with one of our BTF doctors.

REFERENCES

https://www.choosemyplate.gov/fruits-nutrients-health

William, Anthony. Medical Medium. 2015.

The Great Fruit Debate