It’s no secret that fruit is an important part of any healthy diet. Apples, oranges, bananas, blueberries, and the list goes on with each sweet and delicious fruit offering its own health benefits. But what about the lesser known fruits? Exotic fruits from foreign lands that may offer even more vitamins and nutrients than you ever thought possible. This list will detail some of the healthiest and tastiest exotic fruits available and what they can offer you.
1. Jackfruit
Not only is this exotic fruit huge, but it packs huge nutritional benefits. One jackfruit can weigh over 80 pounds. You can find this fruit in India, Africa, Brazil, and certain areas of Southeast Asia. This tropical fruit has a sweet, buttery flesh and is packed with fiber. Foods high in fiber help keep you feeling fuller longer and improve gut health. Jackfruit also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. If you’re into eating the seeds of fruit, jackfruit seeds are a great source of vitamin B, which promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails. You can get creative when it comes to consuming this super fruit and make jackfruit chips or simply eat it raw.
2. Soursop
This lesser known fruit is native to Central and South America but is often harvested in tropical locations around the world. The name of this exotic fruit can be deceiving because it’s actually quite sweet. Soursop is described as a mix between a strawberry and an apple with hints of citrus. Like the dragon fruit, or pitaya, soursop has a white fleshy center with a harder, green exterior. The fleshy center of this fruit is compared to the consistency of coconut flesh or a banana. One of the main benefits of soursop is its natural ability to fight cancer. Soursop also supports wound healing and may reduce inflammation. Other vitamins include C, E, beta carotene, and zinc. Soursop is often used in smoothies, desserts, and syrups, although it can be eaten alone.
3. Lychee
Although this fruit is native to southern China, it’s now harvested in the United States, as well as Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. This sweet fruit is packed with vitamins, polyphenols, potassium, and fiber. If you’re looking to shed pounds, especially around your midsection, incorporating lychee into your diet might help reduce stubborn belly fat. Lychee may also help prevent obesity and fight liver cancer. The consistency of lychee is similar to that of raisins. Another fruit with a white fleshy center, the outer shell of lychee is red and bumpy.
4. Goji Berries
Although these berries are exotic, they’re not a mystery to most people. Goji berries are a common ingredient in juices, smoothies, and nutrition bowls. Goji berries have a strong familiar taste, often compared to dried cranberries or sour cherries. They are most palatable when eaten dried, but still pack a tart punch. But ingesting these berries can offer you countless health benefits that far outweigh the potentially strong taste. Goji berries can help treat common health conditions including diabetes, fever, age-related vision problems, and high blood pressure. If you’re looking to kick fatigue and improve your overall well-being and feelings of energy and alertness, you can easily add Goji berries to your diet. Try the dried variety on your oatmeal or cereal or in trail mix. Throw some berries into your next smoothie or indulge in a glass of juice containing these beneficial berries.
5. Acai
Another common but still exotic fruit is the acai berry. This berry is found in “acai bowls” like the ones mentioned above. And it’s no wonder why. Although a long time staple in the diet of Amazon tribes and grown in both Central and South America, the acai berries benefits are sweeping the United States. The acai berry packs an impressive punch of antioxidants, nutrients, and minerals that can help reduce stress, improve overall health, and may even help boost your metabolism. Acai berries may also help boost brain power and prevent mental decline and keep your mind sharp and healthy. Not only is the acai berry a great source of nutrients but it’s also quite tasty. Described as a mix between a blackberry and raspberry with dark chocolate undertones. No wonder it tastes so good in countless recipes.
6. Durian
This fruit is known as the “king of fruits” in its native land of Southeast Asia and it’s quickly becoming clear why. Unlike some other exotic fruits on this list, durian doesn’t offer a sweet aroma but instead a fairly pungent odor which those indulging in this fruit must get past before reaping the benefits. The center of the durian fruit is actually creamy in texture and its benefits are plentiful. Durian offers daily doses of fiber, iron, vitamin B and is rich in potassium. If you want to get the most out of this fruit, eat it when it’s ripe. This is when the antioxidants are at their highest levels. One thing you don’t normally have to worry about when it comes to eating fruits is caloric intake, but that’s not the case with durian fruit. In fact, one cup of chopped durian is approximately 357 calories! So eat this beneficial fruit sparingly.
7. Pitaya
If you’re looking for a fruit packed with antioxidants, look no further. In fact, the antioxidants in this tropical fruit can help lower a person’s risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. Pitaya contains Vitamin C and fiber as well. Luckily, you don’t have to go too far to get your hands on this gorgeous fruit. It’s grown in Hawaii! But also, Australia, Thailand, and New Zealand. You may know pitaya by its other name – dragon fruit. Whatever you decide to call it, this fruit is undeniable with its bright pink peel and white fleshy center. And if you get your hands on one, don’t throw away the peel! That contains nutritional benefits as well, including the cancer preventing elements, polyphenols and lycopene.
It’s easy to fall into a routine of consuming only the fruits and vegetables we’re accustomed too. And although bananas, apples, and berries offer countless benefits, they aren’t the only fruits out there. These exotic and delicious fruits will help broaden your horizons and help you live your best, healthiest life.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
