We all hear it all the time: eat your fruit and vegetables. All the fitness gurus, vegans, and dieters out there rave about produce, because it’s just “so good, so healthy.” But no one ever fully explains why that is. The most in-depth they ever go is saying “they’re loaded with vitamins and minerals your body needs to survive.” So, how about we dig deeper, and detail the top 8 reasons why it’s so important for you to eat your fruit? No more guessing games and vague answers!

#1 Fruit Has A Wide Range of Health Benefits

Starting with an impactful one, fruit has been known and proven through several medical studies to help safeguard against hypertension (citrus, apples, grapes, watermelon), strokes (citrus), diabetes (blueberries, grapes, apples), weight management (keeps you fuller for longer), muscle health (two servings per day), and more.

Some even claim it can reduce the risk of stomach cancer. Whether this is true or not is debatable, but the European Journal of Cancer published this information. Other claims are that fruit can reduce the risk of bladder, urethral, and esophageal cancers too.

#2 Healthy Sugars vs. Bad Sugars

Doctors warn against eating too much sugar, especially for those with diabetes, so many have chosen to cut out fruit from their diet.

The good news is that fruit is high in fructose, which can only be harmful in high doses. In other words, you can eat those grapes, that banana, and the apple over the course of the day, and it would still be better than eating a cupcake, which holds no nutritional value.

Fresh fruit supplies only a small fraction of the fructose Americans consume in a day. And the sugar has nutrients and antioxidants, plus fiber which flows the absorption of fructose.

#3 The Amount of Fiber In Fruit Does Wonders

As described above, fruit contains fiber, which slows the absorption of fructose. But it does more than just that. Fiber helps to reduce cholesterol levels, slows the absorption of carbohydrates, and increases a sense of being full.

There are also several studies which shows that fiber contributes to weight loss as well. This is in large part due to the slowed rate of carb absorption, which as you should know by now, is a miracle. A lower carb intake helps with weight loss. Eating more carbs makes it a struggle to shed the pounds.

#4 Fruit Has High Water Intake

You can hear the non-believers scream about water retention now. But truth be told, if that was an excuse to not eat fruit, you might as well stop drinking water too (please don’t).

Water keeps you hydrated and capable of absorbing more nutrients. It also helps to keep your skin looking younger and fresher, keeps you feeling fuller for longer, and plays an important role in basically every body function possible. Even the brain is almost 85% water.

#5 It Stimulates Memory

Fruit is so beneficial that it is often called the ultimate brain fuel. Why? Because it has a positive effect on our brains, more specifically, by making us recall information easier and faster.

So, if you’re a good student, studying for exams, you better be reaching into that fruit bowl on the table. It’s important to feed your body and mind with the nutrients it needs to stay sharp and focused enough to retain information easier.

Now go ace that test and thank the strawberries!

#6 Reduction In Cardiovascular Conditions

That’s right, we already know fruit has many health benefits, even showing a reduction in cancer risk. That’s important. But you know what else is important? Keeping the one organ that keeps us alive healthy enough to do its job.

The heart is a strong muscle that pumps blood, and oxygen, throughout our body. Without it doing its job, we die. Plain and simple.

But fruit has been shown to improve the heart’s health due to its high vitamin C and E, as well as phytochemicals.

#7 Fruit Is Low In Calories

It seems so simple and obvious, but it’s true: fruit is super low in calories. And as such, you can eat it without guilt. As long as you don’t overdo it by eating a ton of fruit all the time, from morning to night, you’re fine. Otherwise it can start to inhibit weight loss, but the good news is it’s not known to cause any weight gain, ever.

The low calorie intake makes fruit a great thing to reach for when you’re feeling snacky, and holds you over between meals. It’s a fitness guru’s dream food for a reason.

#8 Fruit Is Cheap

Sure, it’s not related to health, but it kind of is: fruit is inexpensive, especially when compared to other snacking options, such as crackers, cookies, chips, etc. If you were to stop purchasing those prepackaged, highly processed snacks, and bought organic fruit instead, you’d actually be saving money and splurging on high-quality, natural fruit.

And that’s great for your wallet, your body, and your mind. Less stress of money spending, while being healthier thanks to the switch. You may even shed a few pounds.