Eating Sour Fruits for Health

By now most people know of the health benefits of pomegranates and cranberries, two famously sour fruits. Pomegranates have become renowned and sought after for their antioxidants, and cranberries have for years been well-known for their ability to prevent urinary tract infections. But did you know there are other sour fruits that can contribute to a healthy lifestyle? Fruits like kumquats, black currants, and sour cherries provide health benefits with less sugar than some of their sweeter fruit counterparts. So if you are watching your sugar intake, you might want to try adding the following healthy natural gems to your diet a few times a week.

Kumquats are small citrus fruits that look like little oval-shaped oranges. They have a thin, edible rind that is sweeter than the inner flesh. Kumquats are often used as a garnish, but you could also use them in homemade marmalade or toss slices into fruit salad. Or simply eat them as a snack. Like many other citrus fruits, they contain vitamin C and bioflavonoids, but they also have calcium, potassium, and zinc to offer. Kumquats are in season now, so see if you can find them in your grocery store and try them.

Black currants are small black berries that offer antioxidants and vitamin C. The oil from the seeds contains gamma linoleic acid, an important fatty acid that can aid in weight loss. They are popular in northern Europe particularly in jams and beverage flavorings. They can be difficult to find fresh in the United States due to a ban on their cultivation many years ago. They are being grown once again in parts of New England, however. One of the easiest ways to enjoy black currant benefits given the dearth of fresh berries available on this side of the Atlantic is in the form of black currant juice or juice concentrate, which you can find in health food stores.

Sour cherries, also known as tart cherries (as opposed to the dark sweet Bing cherries), provide vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and folate. These are the cherries often used in pies and many other desserts. I like to eat them plain with yogurt and a little cinnamon sprinkled on top. They are sometimes available fresh and can be found canned year-round.

Sour fruits like kumquats, black currants, and sour cherries, along with the more celebrated pomegranates and cranberries, are a great option for a healthy diet especially if you love fruit but want to cut your sugar intake. Some of these sour fruits are underutilized and underappreciated, so try something new and see how it can benefit your health.

Sources:
Healing Food Reference. "Kumquat." Healing Food Reference.com
Black Currants. "Black Currant Health Benefits." Black-Currant.com
Black Currants. "Black Currant History." Black-Currant.com
Choose Cherries. "Cherries-The New Antioxidant 'Super Fruit'." Choose Cherries.com