Berries are ‘excellent’ to fight inflammation with anti-aging properties, says doctor

Share

By Chaitra Krishnamurthy

7 August 2024

Fruits are undeniably a healthy dietary choice, and you can enjoy multiple health benefits by choosing those with essential nutrients.

An internal medicine doctor rates various common fruits based on their nutritional value while picking the best, which is rich in antioxidants, has anti-aging properties, and reduces inflammation.

Doctor recommends eating the ‘most nutritious’ fruit

Dr. Lauren DeDecker discusses the health benefits of several fruits in her TikTok video because “most Americans are not hitting the daily fruit recommendation.”

While some fruits that can spike blood glucose levels aren’t recommended for people with diabetes, others are safe for an average human to consume. But, only one type of fruit is believed to have maximum health benefits – berries.

“Berries are the best fruits The highest antioxidants, great for anti-aging. You can’t go wrong,” she says. Whether it’s raspberries, blackberries blueberries, “all are excellent”.

• END OF LIFE: Hospice nurse says it’s easy to tell if a dying loved one is suffering

Healthline reports berries’ added health benefits, including improved blood sugar, insulin response, low cholesterol levels, skin-related benefits, and more. The antioxidants in the fruit may also reduce cancer risk.

However, the doctor advises eating whole fruits rather than overdried or frozen ones to feel full and not indulge in over-eating.

@drdedeck

Most Americans are not hitting the daily fruit recommendation, so I’ll start by saying that all whole fruit is a good choice! But, some fruits are more nutritious and/or more filling than others. The more fiber the fruit contains, the longer you will feel full, the more it will support your gut microbiome and the more it will help keep things moving (if you know what I mean). My favorite fruits are those that are both the highest in fiber and the highest in anti-oxidants, which help fight inflammation and are anti-aging. Berries of all types are the richest in anti-oxidants! Try to choose whole fruits over dried or freeze dried fruits as they will be more filling and less likely to be over-eaten (….have you ever eaten an entire bag of dried mango at your desk?……) What is your fave fruit?! Mine is actually jackfruit but I have to trek to the nearest Asian market to get it and its a peice of work to get the edible part out. So good though! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #healthiestfruits #fruit #doctortips #healthtips #healthybreakfast

♬ Player’s Ball (Remix Instrumental) – Outkast

Other healthy choices

Of course, there are more fruits the doctor recommends eating other than berries. She also reveals other common choices that aren’t great for your health.

Dr. Lauren says grapes are “okay”, but she wouldn’t consider eating them daily because they are “a little bit high on sugar” and “low in fiber” compared to other fruits.

Cherries are still a better option. They are rich in antioxidants with anti-aging properties. The doctor recommends them for a pre-workout snack. As a side note, a recent study found that eating a common nut daily reduces muscle soreness from working out.

The doctor approves of oranges – rich in fiber and antioxidants. So are apples, with high protein and fiber to improve your gut.

Fruits such as cantaloupe, pineapple, honeydew, and watermelon are low in fiber. They aren’t necessarily “bad” choices, but aren’t the best.

She highly recommends kiwis for people suffering from constipation. Just two of these fruits a day can improve your gut health and “get things moving,” says the doctor.

Based in California Dr. Lauren DeDecker is a Medicine resident physician with an M.D (Doctor of Medicine) from UC Irvine School of Medicine. She also had a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition Science and worked as a health coach and nutritionist for years.

• NEW STUDY: Improving digestive health could be as simple as spoonful of honey