Question

Many humans claim to have a “sweet tooth”. Yet, excess sugar is bad for our health. Presumably, our craving for sweet food substrates has an evolutionary basis – it probably directed human ancestors to forage for fruit, not candy. What nutritional benefits (name at least three) do we get from fresh fruit? Why is the amount of sugar contained in a few pieces of fruit not bad for us? Given that most of the fruit matter (cell wall) is indigestible to us, what is the reason for ingesting cellulose?

Answer 1

Nutritional benefits from fresh fruits:-

• Consuming fruits as a part of overall food in a day is healthy diet which reduces risk for heart diseases and strokes.
• Fruits contains rich potassium lowers blood pressure and also that reduces risk for renal stones.
• Fibers in the fruits prevents obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart diseases.
• Enriches the health of the skin.
• Fruits contains no fat, low caloric diet, thus helps in maintaining health.
• Vitamins and minerals in the fruits enhances growth and development.

Sugars in the fruits are not bad because:-

Fruits contains less and less calories (sugars). That to those sugars are the natural sugars in the form of mixture of fructose, lactose rather than direct sugar.

Consuming Fructose in excessive amount is harmful. But it is incredibly difficult to consume excess fructose in the fruits.

Natural sugars are best than free sugars in other sweets and sweetners.

Reason for ingesting cellulose:-

As it is the bulking agent, cellulose adds volume to the food, especially it is useful in many foods.

It adds bulk to the formation of stool.

It is the anti caking agent that has ability to thicken food, improves creaminess without affecting the food flavour.