Eating healthy can be difficult to achieve when you’re a picky-eater. Fortunately for you, there are many ways to make eating fun and exciting especially when it’s in your favorite color. Well, if your favorite food is not healthy, why not eat your favorite color?
If you’re looking for a way to incorporate healthy meals into your diet and red is your favorite color, you’re in luck because we’ve compiled 15 healthy red fruits in this list for you to start eating healthy!
1. Blood Oranges
Blood oranges, as the name suggests, are blood-colored oranges that resulted from a natural mutation. First cultivated in Italy, this fruit is now widely available all around the world.
Although there are dozens of varieties, each with unique flavors, all of them provide the same nutritional benefits.
Health fact: Blood oranges contain antioxidants, minerals, and other nutrients like Vitamin C which helps the body heal and improves iron absorption.
2. Cherries
Cherries, sour and sweet, are usually consumed fresh or used in a number of pastries and sauces. They are grown in all areas of the world where summer temperatures are tolerable and winter is not too severe. Cherries are not only delicious but also bring numerous health benefits.
Health fact: Cherries are highly nutritious and contain fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium which are all important for maintaining your immune system, blood pressure regulation, and nerve function.
3. Cranberries
When the holiday season is coming, cranberries are generally included in people’s grocery lists. You can consume cranberries fresh, frozen, canned, or juiced. The latter is especially a popular choice and is available all year-round.
Health fact: Cranberries are considered a superfood since they have all kinds of health benefits including anthocyanins, which are known to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects.
4. Lychee
Also known as lichee or litchi, the Lychee is a tropical fruit from the soapberry family. They are usually grown in subtropical regions and are native to China.
Lychees are mostly eaten fresh or used in ice creams, wine, juice, sherbert, or jelly.
Health fact: A 100g lychee already contains 95% of the required daily intake for adult females and 79% for adult males, making it an excellent source of vitamin C.
5. Plum
Plums are stone fruits that belong to the same family as peaches, nectarines, and apricots. They first cultivated in China thousands of years ago before spreading all over the world.
Plums add sweetness to various desserts and salads, but their health benefits are what makes them popular.
Health fact: Plums are relatively low in calories and contain over 15 vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B, and C, as well as fiber and antioxidants.
6. Pomegranate
Pomegranates are large, red-skinned fruits with yummy and juicy seeds. This red rich fruit is also known as the “divine fruit” since it is mentioned a lot in theological books. You can sprinkle your pomegranate seeds on oatmeal, salads, and other dishes.
Health fact: Pomegranates contain antioxidants that protect cells from damage and prevent diseases such as cancer.
7. Rambutan
The Rambutan is a hairy, red fruit commonly found in subtropical and tropical areas. They are usually eaten as a snack, paired with other fruits in a fruit salad, or as a topping in desserts.
You can also use rambutans as a substitute for lychee in several recipes since they have similar taste.
Health fact: Rambutan contains a decent amount of copper which is supplemental in the proper growth and maintenance of various cells.
8. Raspberries
Raspberries are sweet, tart berries that are part of the rose family. They are native to Europe and northern Asia, but are cultivated in temperate areas worldwide. Raspberries have a short shelf life and are best consumed immediately after purchasing or harvesting.
Health fact: Raspberries contain potassium and omega-3 fatty acids that are vital to heart function, lower blood pressure, and help prevent heart diseases.
9. Red Delicious
Apples are one of the most consumed fruits in the world. The Red Delicious is a type of apple that has a striking red color. They can be eaten as is or incorporated in several recipes like pies, muffins, smoothies, or jam.
Health fact: Consuming apples can lower the risk of several chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases since they are rich in antioxidants and fiber.
10. Red Grapes
Red Grapes have more than 200 varieties around the world and are known to be sweeter than their green counterparts. Grapes date back to prehistoric times and have been cultivated for over 7,000 years.
Apart from being a key ingredient in red wine, they are also made into raisins or jelly.
Health fact: Red grapes contain an antioxidant called resveratrol which can prevent cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
11. Rose Hip
Rose hips are fruits that grow on the blossoms of wild roses. They are mostly found in Europe and certain parts of Africa and Asia. Rose hips make great syrups, jellies, seasoning, and tea.
Health fact: Rose hips are widely used in traditional and folk medicine for anti-inflammatory properties since they are high in antioxidants and vitamin C.
12. Strawberries
Strawberries are bright red fruits that are juicy and sweet. They originated in Europe in the 18th century and are usually consumed raw and fresh or with delicious chocolate syrup.
Strawberries can also be used in jams, jellies, and desserts.
Health fact: Strawberries are heart-shaped for good reason since they protect your heart, lower your blood pressure, and prevent cancer.
13. Tomatoes
Contrary to popular belief, tomatoes are scientifically considered as fruits! However, they are treated as vegetables by nutritionists due to their culinary uses and numerous health benefits.
Tomatoes are used in several recipes including salads, soups, and pastas.
Health fact: Tomatoes, whether consumed fresh, cooked, or juiced, help protect against chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and also support a physically active lifestyle.
14. Vineyard Peaches
Vineyard Peaches are flush red fruits with a pale, white flesh. They are traditionally cultivated throughout vine regions of Austria. Vineyard Peaches have an intense taste that range from aromatic to bitter and are generally consumed as snacks or made into preserves.
Health fact: The fresher and riper a peach is, the more antioxidants it contains which protect your body against aging and diseases.
15. Watermelon
Watermelons are technically green in color but they have intensely deep red colored flesh. They are highly cultivated worldwide and are popular as a summer snack due to their high water content. You can slice a watermelon and eat it as is, or mix it in fruit salads.
Health fact: Lycopene is the culprit of a watermelon’s red color and it is proven to help prevent cancer and diabetes when added regularly into your diet.
And that ends our list of 15 red fruits that have numerous health benefits! If you’re not feeling red and want to try out a different color of fruits, we also have a list of green fruits for you to check out.