Fruits are one of the greatest gifts Nature has bestowed on the human – kind. Fruits provide the necessary carbohydrate for energy without of course, fats. Some fruits like Figs contain starch and sugars in the form of carbo – hydrates. Most of the fruits contain 80% moisture and 20% carbohydrates. Besides Minerals and vitamins, the essential nutrients are available in fruits. Fruits cleanse the stomach and cause smooth bowel movements. These are the reasons for eating fruits as a part of regular food.
Most of fruits contain iron, calcium and vitamin ‘C’, essential for our body, in correct proportions. Tomatoes and citrus fruits contain vitamin ‘C’ in abundance.
All the yellow and red coloured fruits have high quality vitamin ‘A’. Freshly plucked fruits contain acids, minerds and vitamins that soften the chyme that reach the Intestine and help in evacuation. Therefore constipation is avoided. Toxins are expelled and the blood is purified. Disease causing germs are expelled. All parts of the body are rejuvenated. Regular fruit eaters feel younger and live longer. Some chronic diseases can be cured by eating certain fruits.
Fruits are to be eaten raw, if you want to get its full benefits. The organic acid and high quality fruit sugar in fruits provide us instant energy. That is why we see Ace Tennis players eating bananas during the breaks. Besides the seasonal fruits, fruits that are available throughout the year – like raisins, figs etc, provide instant energy and refreshment.
When and how to eat fruits
• Eat only well ripened fruits.
• Fruits are not to be cooked. Cooking removes the carbohydrates.
• Fruits are best eaten in the morning.
• Diabetic patients should not eat bananas in the morning. Others can eat any variety of fruits in the morning.
• Eat one kind of fruit, at a time. For instance, in winter, Orange, apple, Pomegranate and Guava are more readily and abundantly available. Do not take all the fruits at a time. If you start with orange, stick to eating oranges only.
• Fruits juices are to be consumed fresh. It kept for long time, bacteria may produce toxins in the juice.
• Persons desirous of having an all fruit break fast, should consume 500 to 750 gms of one type of fruit only, at one sitting.
• Patients are advised to drink fresh fruit juice only rather eating raw fruits.
• After regular break fast or lunch, about 100 gms of fruit can be consumed. In total, 300 gms of fruit per day in divided quantites, can be taken.
• Eating fruits every day makes a person strong.
Fruits for specific purposes
1. For improved brain – function – Bananas, Grapes JuJube Fruit, Figs, Apple, Jack fruit, Mangoes, Pomegranate, Avocado and Raisins
2. For relief from chronic fevers:- Bananas, Figs, Lemon, Citrus fruit (Mosambi), Amla, Pumple moses. To relieve early morning fever, eat an apple.
3. For head aches – Apple, Grapes, Lemon
4. For Anaemia – Bananas, Pineapple, Mangoe, Tomato, Apple, Pears Raisins and Apples, specifically are good for curing anaemia
5. For Asthma – Grapes, tigs, musk – melon, orange, Amla, Bael (Biluva) fruit.
6. For heart problems and reducing cholesterol levels – Red grapes, Pineapple, Pears, Guava, Apple, Pumple – moses, Amla, Bananas, Mangoes
7. For curing frequent Urination – Amla, Java plum (rose apple), Banana, Lemon, Guava, Figs, Apple, Bael, Tomato.
8. For purifying blood and for a glowing body – Jujube fruit, Apple, Jack fruit, Tomato, Peach, Mango
9. For Joint pains, Rheumatism – Bananas, Grapes, Pine apple, Apple, Pears
10. For Leprosy – Rose apple (Javaplum), Guava, fruits of the banyan tree
11. For improving digestion – Pine apple, Papaya, Grapes, Rose apples, Jujube fruit, Musk – Melon.
12. For curing steriluty – Guava, Figs, Rose apple, Wood apple.
13. For strong body – Pine apple, Figs, Apple, Pumple – moses, Raisins, Cucumber Juice.
14. For Blood dis orders – Rose apple, Cucumber Juice, Mango, Orange, Wood apple.
Benefits of Fruits
Besides energy (through the carbohydrate content), fruits provide protective minerals and vitamins and also cellulose. Fruits are practically fat free – the exceptions are olives and avocados. They vary widely in their carbohydrate content. All fruits provide some ascorbic acid (Vitamin ‘C’) but the citrus fruits are out standing as rich sources of vitamin ‘C’. One medium sized orange alone can furnish the normal adult daily requirement. Sodium, Magnesium and Potassium are present in varying quantities in most fruits. Fruits are part of the diet used to treat kidney diseases and kidney stones.
Fruits are digested easily because their sugar content (glucose and Fructose) is in readily absorbable form.
Like vegetable, fruits contain indigestible cellulose that furnish the luck to the stools for easy elimination.
Fruits along with vegetable, help fight cancer.
Box
“Old, Rotten and unripe fruits, fruits, damaged by insects, animals, snow and sun or grown in un – natural places and wrong seasons are unfit to eat”
- Caraka Samhita.
Caraka Samhita describes over 40 types of fruits, with their qualities and effects on the body.
Ayurvedic advice
• All fruits must be taken ripe – exception ‘Bilwa’ (Aegle marmelos)
• Avoid fruits that are unripe or overripe.
• Out of season fruits are to be discarded
• Fruits eaten by worms should not be eaten
• Banana, grapes and coconut are laxative, check internal bleeding, improve voice.
• Pomegranate is good for heart ailments
• Mango improves complexion.
• Straw berry is diuretic and refrigerant.
