Fruits are an important part of any healthy diet. They’re typically high in fiber, packed with essential vitamins and minerals, and not to mention one of the best ways to satisfy a sweet tooth without packing in unhealthy sugars. In fact, certain fruits can be an especially beneficial addition to your diet as you age. This is thanks to the fact that they can help you up your intake of certain nutrients that will help your body thrive and keep some of the most common issues that come with aging at bay.
To discover some of the best fruits you can eat every day to keep your body healthy over 40, we spoke to health expert Jesse Feder, registered dietitian and personal trainer from My Chron’s and Colitis Team. He told us that bananas, oranges, and blueberries are among his top picks. Learn all about their incredible benefits below!
1. Bananas
One of the most important aspects of your health to keep an eye on as you age is your blood pressure. "As we get older, our arteries naturally become stiffer and this can increase blood pressure," Feder explains. Luckily, bananas are one great source of potassium that can help you maintain healthy levels. As he notes, "Potassium is essential for maintaining a healthy blood
pressure for those over 40." Additionally, banana can really pack in fiber too, which is essential and especially helpful when it comes to gut health and weight loss. Overall, it's a great fruit to add to your daily diet!
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2. Oranges
Another major key to staying healthy as you age is keeping your immunity boosted. One of the best ways to do that is by upping your intake of vitamin C—and oranges are famously packed with the stuff. Believe it or not, they also offer a hearty amount of calcium. "As we get older our immune systems weaken as well as our bones," Feder explains. "The vitamin C can help boost your immune system and the calcium can help keep your bones healthy and strong as we age." Perfect! You can add this citrus fruit to your breakfast every morning or enjoy them throughout the day as a juicy snack to reap all of these benefits.
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3. Blueberries
Berries in general are some of the best fruits out there for your overall health, and Feder says that blueberries, in particular, are a fantastic choice for people over 40 thanks to the fact that they're "packed with potent antioxidants." This is helpful because "when we get older, our bodies feel the effects of inflammation and are more prone to it. " Luckily, "the antioxidants in blueberries can help fight off that inflammation and potentially even prevent it from happening!" All while offering delicious flavor and versatility?! Count us in! We'll be adding these tasty treats to our oatmeal, yogurt, and more.
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Of course, you can never go wrong by adding some fruit to your plate. Whether you're starting your day with an apple or blending some mango into a smoothie, getting more fruit into your diet is always a good idea. However, if you're looking for some great options to help you stay healthy as you get older, Feder's recommendations are a great place to start!
