Why
Fruit?
The World Health Organisation has linked low intake of fruit and
vegetables to heart disease and other degenerative illnesses, and research shows that fruits and vegetables are vital for good health. Most
of us need to double the amount the amount of fruits and vegetables we eat
every day. Worryingly, most Irish children do not eat nearly enough of
these essential foods.
Fruit
breaks are a great way to encourage fruit consumption in children, and
fruit provides the ultimate healthy "school fuel".
Fruits
and Vegetables Fight to Protect Health
Fruits, vegetables and other plant foods tend to be rich in antioxidants
and other phytochemicals (pronounced fight-o-chemicals). Antioxidants
consumed in food inhibit damaging reactions within the human body and have
a beneficial effect upon health. By reducing free-radical damage,
antioxidants reduce inflammation, promote cardiac health, and reduce the
risk of neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
disease. Many studies also show that some plant phytochemicals are
anti-proliferative – they slow or prevent the growth of some cancer cells.
Recent research suggests that plant constituents increase sensitivity to
insulin, which may help delay the onset of type II diabetes. Chronic
inflammation may be the root cause of lots of nasty illnesses like heart
disease, and it is likely that eating fruit and veg regularly can prevent
this chronic inflammation. Many fruits are rich in salicylate...a close
relative of a familiar anti-inflammatory drug that we are all familiar
with (aspirin!).
The phytochemicals in fruits
and vegetables
"fight" to protect health. Phytochemicals are usually related to
colour, and fruits and vegetables of different colours (green, yellow-orange,
red, blue-purple, and white) contain their own combination of
phytochemicals and nutrients that work together to promote good health.
Ideally, we should consume a wide range of different coloured fruits and
vegetables.
When
you eat lots of fruit and vegetables, you
tend to consume less fatty and sugary foods. Fruits and vegetables contain
beneficial fibre, and your body finds it
easier to balance your weight.
Your body is designed for a diet that is rich in fruit and vegetables. Even
though fruit contains sugar, this is associated with fibre, which
means that your body copes with it much better.
"Adult"
Diseases and Children
Many
serious illnesses take a lifetime to develop. For example, heart disease
has it’s roots in childhood, and many cancers result from lifestyle
habits developed in childhood. You may notice a heart condition in your
fifties, but it is likely that your problem took 40 years to develop. According to the World Health Organisation,
regular fruit and veg consumption can help protect people from heart
disease, some cancers, stroke, type II diabetes and obesity. Good
lifestyle habits are the best defence against these chronic illnesses.
Fruits
and Vegetables For Children
By
developing good food habits, children may gain lifelong protection from
some of the diseases mentioned above. Fruit
and vegetables are perfect for children, being packed full of many
important nutrients. These include vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.
Eating fruit and juices rich in vitamin C improves the absorption
of iron from plant sources and can help reduce iron deficiency (anaemia).
There
is a tendency for children to comsume less fruits and vegetables, and this
is extremely worrying.
You can find more information on the importance of fruits and vegetables
for health
here.
Set up
a school fruit break
Case Study
