Senior Health The Healthiest Fruits 9/6/2022 | By Teresa Fung, MS, RD, ScD, Harvard Health Blog Teresa Fung, MS, RD, ScD, of Harvard Health Blog, examines the healthiest fruits to include in our diets and their healthiest forms: juices, frozen, fresh, dried, or organic. In the U.S., we are fortunate to have a dizzying array of fruits that fill our grocery stores year-round. They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors, and we have all heard about the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. So, what are we eating them for? And how does the nutritional value vary between fruits? Is there any difference between whole fruits versus juice, fresh versus dried? Let’s take a look. Are there healthiest fruits and healthiest forms? Just like other foods, different fruits have different nutrient values. Generally, whole fruits are good sources of fiber while fruit juices are not. And one cup of fruit juice, even 100% fruit juice, has a lot more sugar than one piece or one serving of whole fruit. In addition, whole fruits are more satiating than juices. When meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake, it is better to eat them (whole) than drink them (juice). However, one should not completely avoid drinking juice – if it is 100% juice – but you should limit consumption to no more than 4 to 8 ounces a day. The freezer section of the grocery store is often stocked with quite a variety of frozen fruits. These are often peeled and cut already (like mango), which is convenient and often less expensive than fresh fruits. Frozen fruits are usually picked and quick-frozen near the point of harvest, therefore the nutrients are well preserved, making these optimal choices for healthiest fruits. Moreover, some seasonal fruits such as blueberries are readily available in frozen form. The key to selection is to choose plain frozen fruits without added sugar. There are a number of fruits that are available in dried form, such as raisins, apricots, and pineapple – just to name a few. These healthiest fruits also have good nutrient values, keep for a long time, are convenient to carry around, and are high in calories, making them a favorite for hikers and campers. However, some often have sugar added in the drying process, particularly mango and pineapple. Dried cranberries almost always have sugar added, as they are naturally very tart. Even for those without added sugar, the compact volume and sweetness make it quite easy to eat a lot in one sitting, and the calories can add up quickly. Some dried fruits like raisins and apricots are also treated with sulfur dioxide to preserve freshness and color. For most people that is not a concern; however, some individuals are sensitive, especially those with asthma. Sulfur dioxide treatment is labeled on the package, so it is not difficult to avoid if necessary. Are organic fruits the healthiest fruits? We have much choice when it comes to organic and conventionally grown fruits, be they fresh, frozen, or dried. Nutritionally, there is not enough difference to choose one over the other, though consumers might choose one over another based on farming practices and environmental impact. The US has regulations on pesticide use, but some fruits tend to have more residual pesticides than others, and it is always recommended that you wash all produce thoroughly before eating, even organic. Differences in nutritional value Different fruits are good sources of different nutrients. Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, and other fruits are good sources of nutrients too. A few examples below: Potassium provides fluid and electrolyte balance, maintains healthy blood pressure. Good sources include: oranges, raspberries, bananas, cherries, pomegranates, honeydew melons and avocados.Iron helps the formation of red blood cells and brain growth in children. Good sources include: dried apricots and raisins.Vitamin C helps maintain a healthy immune system, helps with wound healing and acts as an antioxidant. Good sources include: citrus fruits, strawberries and kiwi.Folate is crucial for DNA synthesis, helps formation of red blood cells and assists in the early neural tube development in the fetus. Good sources include: oranges, mangos and avocados.Vitamin A helps with night vision, cell growth, and immune function. A good source includes: cantaloupe Related: Oranges for immunity – fact or fiction? Besides the above nutrients, some of the healthiest fruits are also high in flavonoids. This is a diverse group of compounds, some of which are potent antioxidants that protect against oxidative damage, and may reduce the risk of certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In particular, citrus fruits are high in the flavanones class of flavonoids, and blackberries, blueberries, cranberries and cherries are high in the anthocyanidins class of flavonoids. So, what fruits should we eat? As you can see, there isn’t one fruit that has all the nutrients, so eating a variety is the key to good health. Try something new! Most adults should eat a variety of colors for about 2 cups a day. Prioritize whole fruits over juice. Eat what is in season, as it will be cheaper, and organic, if you so choose. And enjoy your fruits: eat mindfully to fully appreciate the smell, texture, and flavor. Bon appetit! © 2022 Harvard University. For terms of use, please see health.harvard.edu/terms-of-use. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Read More Teresa Fung, MS, RD, ScD, Harvard Health Blog Teresa Fung is an adjunct professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She received her BS and MS in nutrition from Cornell University, and her ScD in both nutrition and epidemiology from HSPH. In the last 20 years, her research has focused on methodology that assesses the quality of the entire diet, in particular the development of a number of diet quality indexes. She also examines the association of these diet quality measures and risk of chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, elderly fracture, and weight change.