Value of eating local fruits needs to be popularized
Ishara Mudugamuwa
Everyone likes to eat fruits because
of their high nutritious level. In this nutrition month it is important
to find out the nutritious value of eating fresh fruits. Think for a
moment. Do you think that the fruits you eat really provide nutrition
for your body? Most of you say ‘Yes’. But most of you don’t get maximum
value from eating fruits. Then you will ask ‘Why?’ Because you don’t
know how to select good fruits for your consumption
Livestock Fisheries and Nutrition
faculty Dean Dr Renuka Silva talks to Daily News about the value of
eating fruits
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Buying local fruits will improve economy. File photo |
According to Dr Renuka Silva, The World Health Organisation has
recommended to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. But
it is sad to say that according to the researches we hardly find any
child who has reached this level specially in Colombo schools. Fruit
consumption among the children in Sri Lanka is very low. Parents should
think about this sad situation.
As an agricultural country Sri Lanka is rich with its own kinds of
tasty and nutritious fruits. Though we have our own fruits most of Sri
Lankans are used to eating imported fruits. They have no idea about the
bad effects of eating these fruits. Why do people select imported fruits
for their consumption? According to Dr Renuka, market availability and
the prices are the main reasons for that.
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Eat more local fruits |
* Can prevent
cancers and cardiovascular diseases
* Citrus fruits rich with Vitamin C
* All yellow colour fruits help vision
* Fruits contain fiber
* Avacado good for heart and produces good cholesterol |
Consumption of imported fruits badly affects us economically and the
food safety.
Tasty and attractive
When people go to the market their eyes are attracted to the tasty
and attractive varieties of fruit. But they never think about the
chemicals added to them.
There is plenty of dust on the outside of apples and grapes hanging
outside markets. These are full of chemicals. These chemicals badly
affect our body. Most imported fruits have been sprayed with chemicals
since the harvesting time.
Though this is the actual situation most parents prefer to buy
imported fruits for their children without thinking twice.
They think that buying fruits from supermarkets is something to be
very proud of.
They never think about the value of eating local fruits like Beli,
Veralu, Avocado, Passion fruits, Rambutan, Rose apple, wood apple,
mangosteen, pomegranate etc.
Specially fruits grown in tropical countries like Sri Lanka are rich
with antioxidants which can prevent cancers and cardiovascular diseases.
Fruits like Dan and cashew nuts are rich with antioxidants.
Most nutritious fruit
Citrus fruits are rich with Vitamin C. Nelli has high level of
Vitamin C. All yellow colour fruits are rich with Vitamin A and it helps
the vision and skin health. Most of children in Sri Lanka are suffering
from Vitamin A deficiency.
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It is important to eat one banana per day to maintain a healthy
body. File photo |
Fiber is another important thing that we can get from fruits. Fiber
is most important to the digestive system. Avocado is having special
mono unsaturated fat which is known to be good for heart, it produce
good cholesterol, said Dr Renuka.
Banana is the most nutritious fruit that is highly recommended by
doctors in Sri Lanka because of their impressive potassium content. It
is important to eat one banana per day to maintain a healthy body.
Bananas are helpful to solve heart problems, strengthening the bones,
protect the eyesight, reducing depression etc.
Papaya is another fruit that yields a good harvest throughout the
year. Papaya is the best cure for constipation. Papaya provides large
amounts of Vitamin C and A which are essential for the proper function
of a healthy immune system. It is also very good for the lungs.
Beli has a very special place in Ayurveda and is very good for the
digestive system. |
