BANANA
Musa

 

A banana is a long curved tropical and sub-tropical palm like fruit which grows in clusters and has a soft pulpy flesh and yellow skin when ripe. The fruit banana that is present today is not the original bananas, they were very much different in all ways possible and with time it became extinct and we currently have a mutation of the early banana.

Banana is a fruit that is available year- round and they tend to continue to ripen even after being picked. A lot of times banana is considered to be a hard fruit in everyday cookery. You can mash the bananas and use it as a replacement for butter, oil and a natural sweetener when baking sweets like muffins, cookies and cakes.

This fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C and B which aids in the producing of red blood cells, protecting your body against cell and tissue damage. It also aids in maintaining a healthy heart and blood pressure, as it is also very low in sodium and high in potassium. It is highly recommended for babies especially when mashed.

 

GUAVA
Psidium Guajava

Guava is defined as an edible, pale orange tropical fruit with a pink juicy flesh and strong sweet aroma. The whole guava fruit is edible and tastes fruity and slightly floral. It is considered to be a space between a strawberry and a pear in flavour. You can tell when a guava is ripe as they go from dark green to a lighter yellow-green colour.

This fruit is high in pectin, which is a naturally occurring substance that is present to aid in the thickening of pies and jams. You can also use this fruit on toasts, meat or folded into pastries.

The guava fruit is considered to be an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber and potassium. It also aids in lowering blood sugar levels, and the boosting of heart health. The guava leaf can be used as a tea which can help with painful menstruation and including cramps.

 

PINEAPPLE
Ananas comosus

 

 

Pineapple is a widely cultivated tropical juicy large fruit, which has an aromatic edible yellow flesh surrounded by a tough segmented skin topped with a tuft of stiff leaves.

This fruit is one of the most easily accessible fruits that is available year-round. You can easily add it to your diet, as they can be purchased fresh, canned or frozen. It can also be well enjoyed in smoothies, salads or on homemade pizzas.

Pineapple contains is a good source of vitamins A and K, zinc, calcium and phosphorus. They are also rich in vitamin C and manganese. It is essential for growth and development, a healthy immune system, and as well as the absorption of iron from the diet. Pineapple is also considered to be a good source of antioxidants which may reduce the risk of chronic diseases for instance heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

 

ORANGES
Citrus X sinensis

 

Oranges are a round orange-coloured citrus fruits that grows on trees. The origin of this fruit is a mystery but its cultivation was said to have been found in eastern Asia over thousands of years ago. There are so many different varieties of oranges. Some are sweet while others are sour. Just to name a few are: navel, mandarin, car acara, blood oranges, Valencia, Seville and Jaffa.

Oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C which helps your body in a lot of ways such as protecting your cells from being damaged, boosting your immune system, helping your body with the making of collagen, is a protein that heals wounds, and gives you smoother skin. Vitamin C can also help with feeling anxious as it can also lower your levels of the stress hormone. Using the peel of the orange is also beneficial to one’s health it helps with digestion, support heart health, fights infection cold and flu.

 

Compiled by Ms, Faithe Best, OJT , Heritage Library Division.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Booth, Stephanie. “Pineapple Health Benefits & Nutrition.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/food-recipes/benefits-pineapple. Accessed on 16 September, 2021

“Breaking Stories & Updates.” News Directory, dir.md/45005-banana-nutrition-facts.html?host=www.livescience.com. Accessed on 16 September, 2021

BSc, Atli Arnarson. “Oranges 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 18 Mar. 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/oranges.

“Food and Recipes Center: Easy, Healthy Recipe Ideas for Your Health Needs and Preferences.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/food-recipes/health-benefits-oranges. Accessed on 16 September, 2021

“Food Tips.” Health change, www.healthxchange.sg/food-nutrition/food-tips/good-reasons-eat-banana-today.
“Health Benefits of Pineapple.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-pineapple. Accessed on 16 September, 2021

Kristin Donnelly Updated May 23, et al. “8 Ways to Use Oranges.” Food & Wine, www.foodandwine.com/fruits/orange/8-ways-use-oranges. Accessed on 16 September, 2021

Lawler, Moira, et al. “The Power of Pineapple: 8 Reasons to Eat It: Everyday Health.” EverydayHealth.com, www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/8-reasons-eat-pineapple/. Accessed on 16 September, 2021

Szalay, Jessie. “Oranges: Nutrition, Health Benefits & Risks.” Live Science, Purch, 30 Aug. 2021, www.livescience.com/45057-oranges-nutrition-facts.html. Accessed 16 September, 2021

Szalay, Jessie. “Pineapple: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits.” LiveScience, Purch, 26 June 2019, www.livescience.com/45487-pineapple-nutrition.html. Accessed on 16 September, 2021