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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Health
George Lomas

The benefits of summer fruits - including one that'll help you sleep

Growers said they were suffering from a lack of support from supermarkets (Philip Toscano/PA) - (PA Wire)

With Wimbledon in full swing, why not ace your summer by serving up the best of summer fruit? The iconic strawberries and cream dream team are potentially the greatest doubles partners known to man, but there are plenty of other delights. Many summer fruits are high in water content, making them perfect for staying hydrated during the warmer months, and their rich vitamin and antioxidant profiles are perfect for supporting your well-being.

So let’s unpack which fruits are a summer must and how each of them has what it takes to put an extra spring in your step.

The best fruit to eat in the summer

Strawberries

As Wimbledon is in full swing, so is the season of strawberries and cream. Is there really any other way to properly enjoy the tennis? Bursting with Vitamin C, strawberries can do wonders for your immune system, skin health, and iron absorption.

Strawberries and cream have become synonymous with the summer tournament (PA)

Arguably the perfect summer fruit, they are 90% water, making them surprisingly filling for a fruit that’s so sweet. This makes them very hydrating, particularly on a warm day.

Watermelon

Beyond the H2O, watermelon brings a refreshing hit of natural electrolytes like potassium, making it a perfectly guilt-free post-workout treat, a treat much better than having Jaffa Cakes because it technically has orange in it. The watermelon’s distinctive red hue comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that's great in supporting the heart.

Raspberries

Raspberries are packed full of fibre, making them a fantastic addition to your summer and your digestive system. Beyond their gut-loving qualities, raspberries are also loaded with Vitamin C, manganese, and a whole host of antioxidants.

Make sure you include more veg than fruit in your smoothie/juice (Pixabay)

Now I don’t know how you have your Raspberries; sprinkle them on your morning granola, blend them into a refreshing smoothie, or just devour them straight from the punnet either way there will be no judgment here… well, only a little.

Cherries

Cherries are very good for you, offering up a substantial amount of Vitamin C, fibre, and potassium. But here's a fun fact that will undoubtedly lead to people running straight to the shops and fighting their way to the fruit aisle: Cherries contain natural melatonin, which can subtly help regulate your sleep cycles. So, with temperatures soaring and warm late nights becoming an increasing problem for Londoners, Cherries might be just what everyone's looking for; nature's natural night nurse.

Not only that, the deep red pigments are anti-inflammatory, which is great for soothing tired muscles after a long day walking up and down the fruit aisle, which is inevitably what you're going to be doing after you’ve read this article.

Peaches

In his famous song, Peaches, Justin Bieber refers to getting the fruit from Georgia, but what he forgot to mention is that you can also grow them in the UK. They bring a good helping of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and potassium. Studies have even hinted they can help reduce inflammation, which may have resulted in a rather clunky lyric to the song.

They also contain lutein, a powerful antioxidant that's particularly good for keeping your eyes and skin healthy; ideal for spending time basking in the sun on Primrose Hill, a great way to spend the summer months.

So indulge in a fruitful summer full of summery fruit - you’ll thank us later.

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