The 4 Benefits of Fruits for Children
Are you aware of the benefits of fruits for children? Fruits are indispensable elements in the diet of children, as they contain a large amount of quality nutrients that are determinants for growth and good health. Nutritional deficiencies in the early stages of life can negatively condition the functioning of the body and predispose it to illness in the medium and short term.
For this reason, nutrition experts recommend the consumption of at least 3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, in order to ensure an adequate intake of vitamins, minerals, and other key substances. In addition, it’s always best to opt for seasonal fruits, as they have better organoleptic characteristics and provide a greater amount of phytochemicals.
The benefits of fruits for children
Below, we will discuss the main benefits that fruits provide to children. There is no one kind that is better than another, but it is best to ensure variety and increase the spectrum of vegetables consumed daily.
Pay attention to the benefits of fruits for children so you can increase their fruit intake today. Take note!
1. Fruits optimize immunity
Many fruits contain a significant amount of vitamin C, a key element to improving the function of the immune system or defenses. Its regular consumption ensures stable blood levels, which in turn favors innate (determined in the genes) and adaptive (developed from previous infections) immunity.
Vitamin C not only reduces the risk of suffering infectious diseases but also contributes to controlling the tenor of the symptoms.
However, it’s always more beneficial to reach the requirements of the vitamin through diet rather than with pharmacological supplements. Therefore, children should consume citrus fruits on a regular basis, such as oranges or grapefruit, as well as strawberries and kiwis.
2. Fruits prevent the development of complex diseases
Many complex diseases are the consequence of inflammatory processes that are exacerbated and damage the different tissues of the body.
Fruits contain substances called phytochemicals, whose most outstanding property is antioxidant. They serve to neutralize the free radicals produced by inflammation and prevent them from accumulating and causing the damage described above. This mechanism has been associated with a reduction in the genesis of chronic diseases, according to a study published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.
3. Improves hydration status
Maintaining a good hydration status is key to health, especially in the case of children, who are more prone to dehydration. To ensure fluid balance, it’s not only enough to drink water, but also to incorporate it through food. And in this sense, fruit can contribute a lot.
In addition to water, fruits and vegetables provide electrolytes, which are essential elements for communication and cellular exchange. A deficit of any of them could negatively condition the functioning of the organism in the short term.
4. The benefits of fruits for children: They contribute to the correct functioning of the digestive system
Finally, it should be noted that fruits are an excellent source of fiber, a very positive element for intestinal transit that stimulates peristalsis and combats constipation.
Also, fiber functions as an energy substrate for the bacteria that make up the microbiota, which ensures a good functioning of the tube and proper absorption of nutrients.
Take advantage of the benefits of fruit for your children’s health!
Now that you know the main benefits of fruit for children, incorporate it into your children’s diet right away. This way, you’ll avoid deficits of vitamins and important elements for the body in a decisive stage of life, such as childhood.
Finally, it’s essential to emphasize the need to establish a series of good habits as a whole in order to maintain the state of health over the years. It’s not enough just to take care of the diet, but it’s also necessary to encourage the practice of exercise and sleep adequately at night.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211
- Neha, K., Haider, M. R., Pathak, A., & Yar, M. S. (2019). Medicinal prospects of antioxidants: A review. European journal of medicinal chemistry, 178, 687–704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.010