It’s cold and we naturally don’t crave salads or fruit in the winter. We literally have to remind ourselves often that fruit should be part of the menu all year round. Which body will benefit the most right now?
What does the body miss most in winter?
January days in our latitudes are a test for body and mind. The lack of sunlight, freezing temperatures and transitions between heated rooms and the cold outside place enormous demands on the organism.
Now the body is most interested in substances that will maintain functional mucous membranes, stable sugar levels and enough energy to fight viruses. And the best answer is not hidden in tablets, but in an ordinary bowl of fruit. But which fruit to reach for?
Winter is synonymous with vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C is key for collagen formation and support of white blood cells. Fiber is also very important. This is often completely missing from popular heat-processed dishes in winter.
shows that the microbial diversity of the intestines decreases in the winter months, which directly affects immunity. Fiber-rich fruits are literally a treasure in January.
In addition to vitamins, the body also calls for antioxidant-rich dyes in the cold. So-called polyphenols help cells to cope with oxidative stress from temperature shocks.
The gut microbiome is extremely important, which is why science is increasingly interested in it.
January heroes: apples, citrus and kiwi
Which fruit offers what we lack right now? Feel free to reach for apples, citrus, but also the unobtrusive kiwi.
Apples are unbeatable thanks to their high content of pectin, a type of fiber that cleanses the intestines and . Citrus fruits, mainly grapefruits and lemons, provide bioflavonoids that multiply the effect of vitamin C. But the ace up the sleeve of the January menu is kiwi.
The research on kiwifruit is really interesting and covers all kinds of things. The amount positively affects the creation, and in the order of weeks has a measurable .
Whole fruit vs. juices and pills
We often reach for fruit juices or multivitamins, but science is relentless. The whole fruit is irreplaceable. By juicing, we get rid of fiber, which causes a sharp rise in blood sugar and subsequent fatigue. In winter, when we move less, we really don’t need it. In addition, chewing the whole fruit sends satiety signals to the brain.
Supplements lack the synergistic effect that natural fruits offer. In an apple or orange, hundreds of substances work together at once and their absorption improves.
According to the analysis, the body can use vitamins from fruit up to 40% more efficiently than synthetic ones. Eating fresh fruit makes much more sense than substitutes in the form of dietary supplements.
