At a time when a heightened level of threat to human health resulting from the global ravages of the coronavirus pandemic is intensifying the call of the food nutrition lobby for increased fruit consumption, it is comforting to note that of the ten healthiest fruits on the planet, six of them are commonly grown in Guyana and are not only plentiful and affordable but are also grown in family orchards across the country.
With sections of the international food-promoting media now focussing attention on “healthy eating”, the California-based health information provider, Healthline Media Inc. has published a list of what (based on its own research) are considered as the fruits that rank at the very top of the pile insofar as health benefits are concerned.
At the very top of the Healthline list of ‘super fruit’ is the ever popular grapefruit which Healthline says is not only one of the healthiest citrus fruits as a source of vitamins and minerals but is also world-renowned “for its ability to aid weight loss and reduce insulin resistance. Eating grapefruit, Healthline says, has been shown “to reduce cholesterol levels and help prevent kidney stones.” Grapefruit is widely cultivated across coastal Guyana and while it is a seasonal fruit, its price fluctuations never really ‘go through the roof’.
Ranked at number two on the Healthline superfruit list, pineapple is described as the “nutrition superstar” of the fruit family. One of the pineapple’s ‘claim to fame’ is its reputation for containing bromelain, a mixture of enzymes known for its anti-inflammatory properties and believed by medical researchers to be a form of protection against cancer and tumour growth. Rich in vitamin C and manganese, pineapple, though subject to seasonal price fluctuations, is never exorbitantly priced and can be accessed even out of season. During ‘pineapple season’ the fruit is cheap, available in abundance and popular with consumers not just for its own consumption but for its role in adding value to salads and other dishes. There are a number of large pineapple farms all over coastal Guyana and the fruit is cheap and plentiful when ‘in season.’
Ranked at number 3, avocado is highly rated mainly on account of the fact that it is rich in healthy fats. Much of that fat is oleic acid, which is linked to reduced inflammation and good heart health. In addition to healthy fats, avocados are excellent sources of potassium, fiber and magnesium.
The pomegranate which weighs in at number 6 on the list is rated among the healthiest fruit in the world. It may not rank near the top of the list of fruit available in Guyana, though its professed health-related properties has made it popular with some consumers. The pomegranate contains particularly high levels of antioxidants – three times higher than those of green tea and red wine. If it is not known, necessarily, to be either plentiful or cheap, like all fruit grown in Guyana, its indulgence is not likely to bring the consumer to a condition of insolvency. Particularly outside of Guyana, the pomegranate is widely talked about as a fruit that may help to reduce the risk of cancer.
The ever popular mango takes up a position at number 7 on the list. ‘Mango season’ is the closest that Guyana comes to a fruit ‘festival,’ with municipal markets and roadside vendors offering the fruit in abundance and at prices that consumers are unlikely to enjoy anywhere else in the world. An excellent source of vitamin C the mango also contains soluble fibre which offers a variety of health benefits. Additionally, mangoes have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the risk of disease.
The lemon ranks at the bottom of the ‘top ten’ portion of the healthiest fruit. Whether it’s COVID-19 or the common cold, lemon (all citrus fruit for that matter) far exceed all other fruit in terms of popularity with local consumers. The rainy season and flu-related symptoms tend to create a spike in the price of lemons. Recently, the ‘staying safe’ focus resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic also created a sharp spike in the lemon prices. The same applies to oranges, limes, and other fruit of the citrus family. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and are particularly popular among local women who believe the fruit to be helpful in their pursuit of weight loss. In addition, according to Healthline, studies show that the citric acid in lemon juice has the ability to treat kidney stones.
Other popular local fruit that help ‘round out’ the global top twenty list are watermelon (#12), oranges (#15), bananas (#16), guava (#18), papaya (#19), and cherries (#20).
