New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-09

great increase In the use Of fruit among the
American people during the last year. and recent
dietary studies seem to justify a. further in
crease in this healthful product OF all chimes
After number of careful experiments. made on
strict fruitarians. Professor NJ. E. Jaffa, OF the
California Agricultural Experiment Station. dis
covered that during twenty-eight days six per-
sons of varying ages and sexes lived comfortably
and satisfactorily diet composed solely OF
fruits nuts. olive oil and honey, some of them
eating only twice during the day. while others
ate three meals at their regular hours During
the test the bodies of those who lived on this
diet were supplied with the requisite protein and
energy and maintained their normal health and
strength; this at a cost of from 1871 to Al cents
day, in accordance with the, amount eaten.
From this it is argued that fruitarian diet is
certainly justified the ground OF economy. as
well as for paatability. food value and aesthetic
considerations
On the grounds of hygiene there are those who
seek further justification Of a free indulgence
in fruit, and tho Investigations OF physicians and
chemists have proved that there is ground for
this belief. The common concession that fruits
are laxative is due in part to the water which
they contain. the salts in solution and 10 the
irritating crude fibre. small seeds or other in
digestibe materials present but an essential fac
such as succulent vegetables and fresh fruits.
These are OF importance they usually contain
enough indigestibe matter to assist the re-
mainder. The principle on which this indigest-
ible matter acts is the that resorted to
by the barnyard hen who selects a choice bit OF
shell here and there pebble or two of con-
venient size to aid along the rest. The human
stomach occasionally needs a treat of the same
order. though little less harsh Then there
are the acids which the average Graves |
with his food. II he takes these into his system
through eating fruits he gets citric. malic and !
other common fruit acids which are reputed
wholesome while. too. the iron and other min /
eral matters contained in fresh fruits and green
are large in their protein content or 1
energy value.
The custom of eating fruit when first we sit |
down to the breakfast table. though COMPARE
lively recent one in this country is nevertheless !
= sensible habit and hygienic in the extreme.
LINES. oranges. grapefruit other acid fruits
eaten at this time are beneficial in more ways
Than merely stimulating the appetite. The bit
ter taste of the grapefruit is indication of it's
healthful quality, while in the tropical pawpaw
and the pineapple to be found active fer
ments. The ferment in the pawpaw. in fact. IS
separated in commercial quantities and used as
! digester, while the ferment in the pineapple
Is recommended for at the end of the meal.
so that its ferment will aid the body in digesting
the food. Here let IL be understood that with
all their values fruits not recommended as
cures for indigestion and other human ills. but
rather as the proverbial ounce of prevention. If /
4 man is suffering from digestive disorders the |
best thing for him to do is 10 a physician. |
Then. II his trouble can be cured and he is will
ing TO take care to cure it. the partial total I
fruit diet will go long way toward saving him |
from another similar attack.
These and a number Of other interesting deduc- |
tons are included in the Farmers Bulletin No. /
293. which was issued last month by the United !
States Department OF Agriculture. In this PAM
phet is series OF tables comparing the cost OF /
total nutrients and energy in fruits and other |
food materials at certain average prices. one OF |
which follows: