Health & Fitness
Community Update
by Dr. Kara Burkhart, ND, L.Ac
Salud Integrative Medicine
Fruit is sweet and sweet foods can indicate a high level of sugar, but the sweetness of fruit is not a problem and is not linked to adverse health effects, according to Dr. David Ludwig, the director of the New Balance Foundation Obesity Prevention Center at Boston Children’s Hospital.
In her recent article "Making the Case for Eating Fruit," Sophie Egan provides the reasons why fruit is pretty fantastic.
However, be aware that since fruit does raise blood sugar levels, it is recommended that you include protein with your fruit servings.
Eat Fruit:
1) For the fiber — eat whole fruit instead of a fiber additive, your body metabolizes it better
2) It makes us feel more full — fiber-rich foods like fruit breaks down more slowly triggering satiety hormones
3) Hello healthy bacteria — fiber changes the intestinal flora or microbiome and encourages more healthy bacteria to thrive
4) Eat the rainbow — different colored fruit provide different types of antioxidants and nutrients
5) Choose whole fruit over juice — juice releases fructose faster into bloodstream
Dr. Kara Burkhart is a Naturopathic Physician and Acupuncturist as well as nutritional counselor practicing in Farmington, CT.