Fruit contains fiber, vitamins and minerals that are imperative to our health. Fruit also contains carbohydrates and a small amount of protein and fat. Different fruit contains different nutrients, so it is wise to consume a wide variety of fruits. Peaches, apricots, nectarines, mangoes and watermelon are all sources of carotene, a form of Vitamin A. Grapefruits, oranges, melons, berries, papayas, and kiwis are all sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C not only helps to fend of the common cold, but it also aids the body in binding cells together to increase iron consumption. Iron merges with protein to create hemoglobin, which carries the oxygen in red blood cells from the lungs to cells all over the body.
Most fruit also contains magnesium and folic acid.
While folic acid allows certain chemical changes in our body to take place, magnesium aids our metabolism, protein digestion and nervous system functions. Aside from its abundance in essential nutrients, fruit also has no cholesterol and little fat or sodium. While fresh fruit is recommended, processed and frozen fruit is also beneficial. Freezing, canning, or drying fruit can limit the amount of Vitamin C and A that it contains. Dried fruit also has a high proportion of sugar due to the lack of water in the fruit.