Superfruits Can Help Combat More Than Just Spring Fatigue
⏱️ Reading time: 3 min
After a long and mostly gloomy winter, our bodies often struggle with both physical and mental symptoms of fatigue. If you, too, are trying to recharge and regain your zest for life at the start of spring, in addition to tried-and-true exercise and boosting your immune system, adjusting your diet and adding so-called superfruits to it can also help.
With the ever-increasing pace of our lives and the fact that we often neglect to maintain good physical and mental health, we are much more susceptible to so-called lifestyle-related diseases. These are illnesses primarily linked to stress and a hectic lifestyle, lack of exercise, an unbalanced diet, and poor-quality sleep. Among these is fatigue syndrome, commonly referred to as “spring fatigue.” Superfruits can also help the body cope with this seasonal phenomenon. “These are types of fruit rich in minerals, vitamins, and pigments, and they also have powerful antioxidant effects. Among the best-known are pomegranates, mangosteens, papayas, and pitahayas,” says Vojtěch Havránek of Titbit, a company that imports exotic fruits and gourmet vegetables to the Czech market.
Pomegranate
The pomegranate—like other superfruits—is probably best known for its powerful antioxidant effects. In practice, this means it contains substances called antioxidants, in this case punicalagin. These fight free radicals in the body that damage healthy cells. The compounds found in pomegranates also benefit blood vessels and purify the blood. Its benefits for anemia stem from its high mineral content, particularly iron. In addition, the fruit contains high amounts of sodium and vitamins A, B, E, K, and C. The latter vitamin not only acts as an antioxidant but also boosts the body’s immune system and facilitates the effective absorption of iron. And it is precisely iron deficiency that can significantly contribute to spring fatigue or general irritability. Pomegranates are also very beneficial in the fight against heart disease. They can lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, thereby helping to prevent heart attacks.
Mangosteen
It is characterized by a sweet-and-sour flavor reminiscent of a blend of grapes, pineapple, grapefruit, and peach. Mangosteen is believed to have many medicinal properties, mainly due to its high content of xanthones (a yellow crystalline substance that fights bacteria and inflammation). For this reason, it is used to heal wounds, eczema, and other skin conditions. It also has a positive effect on the nervous and circulatory systems and strengthens the gums. It relieves pain, alleviates fatigue, and reduces fever. In Southeast Asia, the mangosteen is nicknamed the “queen of fruits.” Queen Victoria of England reportedly offered a large reward to anyone who brought her a mangosteen.
Pitahaya
This strange and very distinctive-looking “prickly” fruit is actually the fruit of a cactus. Pitaya is an important source of calcium, carotene, iron, and riboflavin. Interestingly, its seeds—which are commonly eaten along with the flesh—are high in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The latter activate phagocytes—white blood cells that not only fight diseases such as the flu but, according to numerous studies, also have a positive effect on overall mood and mental well-being.
Papaya
The last of the superfruits that can help you cope with spring fatigue is the papaya. But it’s not just its flesh—rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as calcium—that can provide relief for the body. Research has shown that the seeds, which contain high levels of the enzyme papain with anti-inflammatory effects, aid digestion, and consuming them helps rid the body of various parasites. Their taste is quite bitter and pungent, similar to that of black pepper. But if you can handle it, you’ll be rewarded with a healthier digestive system.
