Winter Fruits and Their Health Benefits

One of the best and simplest ways to protect from catching cold, cough and flu is by picking up locally and seasonally available fresh fruits.  These winter fruits are loaded with abundant nutritious content that enhances the immunity and helps us in fighting the chilly winters. Not only do these fruits provide high nutritional value but they also keep the glycemic scale in proper ranking.

Here’s a list of the top five winter fruits that will help you stay healthy this chilly weather.

Oranges (Citrus sinensis)

• The slightly sour and sweet fruit contains vitamin c, fiber, potassium, folate and thiamine among vitamin C.
• Being a great source of Vitamin C, this nutrient-abundant fruit also helps fight off infection, cancer or kidney disease and strengthen the immunity system.
• In addition, oranges promotes skin healthy.

Plum (‎Prunus domestica)

• This tart purple fruit is loaded with numerous nutrients such as vitamins A, C and K, manganese, copper, antioxidant and fiber.
• Plum promotes appetite and improve digestive fire, blood circulation and heart health.
• It keeps away from anxiety due to antioxidant content.
• The potassium present in plums helps lower sodium levels in the body, which helps decrease blood pressure.

Papaya (Carica papaya)

• It can be consumed to fight several health issues during cold weather.
• It is high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B, anti-oxidants, and several other minerals which make it a must-consume fruit this winter.

KIWI (Actinidia deliciosa) 

• A fruit most commonly available during the winter season.
• Kiwi is packed with a variety of nutrients like vitamin C, fiber, iron and antioxidants.
• In addition, they content minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, iron and zinc
• This fruit promotes skin health and prevents from early ageing symptoms of skin.
• In fact, it has higher Vitamin C than oranges and a higher level of potassium than a banana.
• Its anti-oxidant properties also makes it excellent citrus fruit.
• These are just some of the nutrition facts that make kiwi a mighty winter fruit.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera) 

• Dates might look like tiny fruits but they are loaded with many health benefits.
• Not only does this fruit has a lot of minerals and vitamins but also has huge iron and calcium content.
• Anemia patients can consume this fruit during the winters to stay away from the winter blues.
• These fruits also keep the body warm and nourished during the winter season.

Grape (Vitis vinifera)

• Whether you pick green, purple or red grapes, they are all highly nutritious fruits and uniformly tasteful.
• Grapes are the most commonly consumed winter fruits in India.
• Eaten raw or include in fruit salad or custards
• This fruit is excellent for the skin health and also keeps the heart healthy during the chilly winters.
• Grapes are rich source of anti-oxidants, Vitamins A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, and potassium.
• The high glycemic scale and fiber content also make both red and green grapes a good winter fruit.
• All these nutrients improve the immunity of the body during winters.

Apple (Malus domestica) 

• A medium apple has around 4 grams of fibers and adequate Vitamin C while having only 95 calories.
• It is also proven to be great for the heart health
• Hence, it is rightly said that an apple a day, keeps the doctor away.

Pomegranates (Punica granatum) 

• Pomegranates also known as a super food.
• They are loaded with a variety of vitamins and minerals for fighting off numerous health conditions.
• Consuming this fruit during winter protect the body from heart and cancer diseases.
• It also prevents memory loss.