Fruit Myths Debunked

Eat this. Don't eat that. With so many rules and myths surrounding food now and days, it is hard to figure out which food is appropriate to eat. In actuality, many foods are alright for everyone and with a little reading; even those with allergies can enjoy the same food that they love. This article deals with food myths - those myths have seem to ingrain themselves into today's culture and lifestyle. With thanks to the people at Get Fit Nutrition and Shape (detailed links will be included at the end of this article so the entire myth that is debunked can be read); here are five popular myths and the truths that destroy the myth.

1. Drink a glass of apple juice and a glass of orange juice to count as two servings of fruit: This is false. No matter how much one hundred percent juice you drink, it will only count as one serving of fruit due to the fact that the juice does not contain fiber. (Source: Get Fit Nutrition).

2. Organic fruit contains more vitamins than fruit grown with pesticides: This is still up for debate - some studies say yes while others say no. Whichever way the fruit is grown, it still offers the needed and useful amounts of vitamins, minerals and other good stuff that the body needs. (Source: Get Fit Nutrition).

3. Bananas are fattening: Again, a myth that has been around for a long time that is just simply not true. While bananas do offers slightly more calories (but it is not high in calories or fattening) than other fruit, it makes up for this by being one of the few fruits that is high in vitamin B6 and potassium which helps regulate blood pressures. (Source: Get Fit Nutrition).

4. All orange juices are created equal: Simply not true and not only for taste (some sweeter, some bitter), but for their Vitamin C content. Pasteurization destroys Vitamin C during the process, while it is still present in orange juice; it is just not as strong. Frozen orange juice concentrate is actually higher in Vitamin C because it is not pasteurized. Whichever orange juice is purchased and in order to obtain the highest amount of Vitamin C available, drink frozen orange juice within a week from mixing; and drink ready made orange juice within a week of opening and three to four weeks before expiration date. The need to drink orange juice at this rate is that the drink loses two percent of Vitamin C per day. (Source: Shape).

5. Fresh fruit is better than dried: For obtaining Vitamin C, then fresh fruit is the best choice; however, dried fruit offers that same nutrients as fresh as well as sugar for energy. It should be noted that one tablespoon of dried fruit equals one serving of fresh fruit, thus having five tablespoons of dried fruit, gives a person the daily intake required of fruit. (Source: List Verse).