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IMPORTANCE OF FRUIT AS FOOD

dr_esreddy@yahoo.co.in

Importance of fruits in human diet is well recognized. Man cannot live on

cereals. Fruit and vegetables are essential for balance diet and good

health. Nutrionists advocate 60- 85 gm of fruits and 360 g vegetable per

capita per day in addition to cereals, pulse, egg etc. Fruits and vegetable

are good source of vitamins and minerals without which human body

cannot maintain proper health and develop resistance to disease. They

also contain pectin, cellulose which stimulates intestinal activities and

energy giving substances like oils, fats, and proteins. Many fruits have

medical purpose.

A. As a Source of Vitamins:

1. Vitamin A:

It is a fat soluble and essential for growth and reproduction deficiency

cause cessation of growth, night blindness, drying of tear glands,

roughness and crouton of skin in children formation o stones in kidney

and bladder and pimping. Carotene which is a precursor of vitamin A is

found in different fruits e.g. Mango, papaya, fruit, dates, banana.

2. Vitamin B:

Deficiency causes berry berry disease, loss of appetite, loss in weight, fall

in body temperature, sore throat etc. It is found in fruit like cashew nut,

almond, banana, apple, bale, litchi, papaya and pomegranate.

3. Vitamin C:

It is water soluble and essential for general good health. Deficiency causeunhealthy gums, tooth decay, bleeding of gums, swelling of limbs, scurvy

disease delay in wound healing, enlargement of heart and damage to

heart muscles. It is available in fruits like anola, guava, citrus fruits, ber,

strawberry, pineapple, etc.

B. As a Source of Minerals:

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At least 10 different mineral elements are required for proper growth and

development of human body. Out of these, ca, fe, and phosphorus are

required on large scale ca is badly lacking in Indian diet.

1. Calcium:

Needed for development of bones, absence causes rickets, pigeon chest,

and retarded growth.

2. Iron:

It is an essential of BBC and best known O2 carrier.

3. Phosphorus:

Required for cell multiplication and oxidation of CHO, liberating energy.

Sources:

Almond, cashew nut, guava, jamun, fig, karonda, mango.

C: As Source of Energy:

Carbohydrate and fats provide energy, while proteins besides providing

energy are also responsible for building body tissues. Most of the fruits

are good source of CHO.Sources: Banana (36 %), grapes (20%), custard apple (25%), apples,

ber, cashewn4t, to meet the annual calorific requirements one would

need to be cultivate cashew. To meet or 0.50 acres of image or 0.09

acres of banana.

D: Fruits have Medicinal Value:

The fruit like Anola, pomegranate, kokum, jamun, bihada etc. have great

medicinal value.