Memorial Day is the official holiday to jump-start summer, and I’m so excited that my favorite fruits are back in season!
If you haven’t already guessed, red is my favorite color, and also my favorite in fruits- cherries, raspberries, watermelons, red apples, plums and strawberries. Summer is the best time to grab many red fruits when they’re at their peak in season and best in price.
A wise woman once told me that in hindsight, she would have eaten more fruits with antioxidants for firmer skin.
A word to the wise- red fruits are packed with antioxidants! So I’m running down the additional benefits of my favorite red fruits- even beyond skin care and youth in a berry!
1. Apples- We all know the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” But why is this true?
Research shows that apple eaters get a variety of antioxidants and less worry about toxicity. Antioxidants are nutrients, with the three major ones being beta-carotene (for healthy skin, immune system and eyes), vitamin C (repair of body tissues and healthy immune system) and vitamin E (protects cells from damage and prevents inflammation).
Some scientists say that Red Delicious Apples (pictured here) have more antioxidants than other varieties.
2. Cherries- My forever favorites are high in fiber and rich in potassium and vitamin C. All of this great for a healthy heart and blood pressure.
I love fresh cherries, and now I know that their skin is rich in fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream- diabetes preventative. My cheery cherry tip: I enjoy these whole pitted cherries (NO sugar added) from Target HERE all year round!
3. Raspberries- Also high in fiber help to lower bad cholesterol density. A lower-density of cholesterol prevents heart disease and stroke. Studies also show that raspberries contain an antioxidant that reduces stress.
4. Plums- Beyond a healthy digestive system in their dried state as prunes, plums are also good for healthy skin and bones. Loaded with antioxidants, they rejuvenate the skin and reduce wrinkles.
Plums also contain phenolic compounds that reverse the loss of bone.
“Eat an apple on going to bed and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.”
This applies to most colorful fruits, too!
5. Watermelon- Were you eating carrots for eyesight? Now you can add watermelon to your variety. It decreases the risk of cancer that causes the deterioration of the retina. Watermelon improves blood vessel function and also decreases the risk of stroke.
6. Strawberries- This berry is an antioxidant powerhouse of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system. Strawberries are also rich in folic acid which aids in the prevention of memory loss, birth defects and liver disease.
Did you know? A 3.5-ounce serving of strawberries (about 5 large berries) has more vitamin C than an orange! Also lower in calories.
7. Cranberries- Not pictured here, but cranberries are my favorite reds that I enjoy the most during the holidays (Check out my favorite cranberry recipes that I’ve posted HERE).
They are truly a holiday gift. Did you know that cranberries are known as the death of cancer? They are known to kill cancer cells in lab studies. More commonly, they are known to stop bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract.
Make this amazing fruit platter for Memorial Day
Red fruits are my favorite. However, this platter would also be super scrumptious and festive with the addition of blueberries!
For more platter ideas and inspirations, check out my post on Easy Platters and Smorgasbords HERE.
Like this post? Pin an image on Pinterest so we can all learn & grow!
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I love fruit.
Author
I do too. Great to know the benefits, too!
That spread looks really good. I love bright red!
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Thank you, Sandra! Red’s my favorite color and in fruits, too!
That platter is exquisite! So artistically assembled!
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Thanks so much! I love making platters and sharing them with friends.
I love eating all kinds of fruits. For me it’s natures candy. ????
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You said it best, Nancy! #NaturesCandy 😉
What a delicious spread this is. Looks so very tasty.
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Thanks, Beth! I hope you can make one, too!
The tray looks great
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Thanks so much, Gwendolyn!…and even better, good for you!
Oh yes to the “reds”! Tomatoes, strawberries, watermelon-love, love love can’t get enough!! Goooo REDS!!! Thanks, sincerely Randy.
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I couldn’t agree with you more, Randy!
Although not a red fruit, I love blueberries. Berries are the best fruits to eat due to high antioxidant and fiber content. I DO love all the fruit you mentioned above too. Nothing better than a fresh fruit salad in the summertime!
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You’re so right, Barrie about summertime refreshing and the antioxidants!
Thank you I agree with all of this. Now I want strawberries
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You’re welcome!…and I want cherries!!! LOL!
I LOVE FRUITS HAVE A LEAST 2 EVERY DAY
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You are living your best healthy life! Get it, Marlene!
All o these fruits look awesome. We love eating fruits.
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Thanks, Belinda! I do!
I love all the red fruit
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My favorite, too Tiffany! So glad it’s good for us!
Looks delicious!
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OMG- It is!
i love eating fruit by their colors its so refreshing and creative.
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I love how you think- in vivid colors!
I am a huge cherry fan but it is annoying to take the pits out!
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Yeah, you should try the frozen ones I mention in the post from Target. They are pitted 😉
So pretty and cheerful. I even have a cherry pitter that waits all year to be utilized like this!
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Lucky girl with the cherry pitter!
That’s gorgeous! I can never get the apples right. They’re either all brownish or taste like lemon juice. Any secrets?
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Hi, Athena!
Thanks for asking! Yes, I’ve tried lemon juice, too which can disrupt the taste a bit. My only suggestion is to slice ’em last for platters and then eat ’em quick before that pesky browning sets in!
That platter looks amazing. I need to eat more red fruits.
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Thanks, Kelly! Happy you like and appreciate the value in red fruits, too!
I’m not a big fan of watermelon but you make it look soo good
Such a refreshing and gorgeous platter!
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Thanks, Amy! One of my favorites to make in the summer.
very good and informative post !
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Glad you like, Joshua!
Oh this looks delish and perfect for summer!! I could serve this all summer long xo.
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Suzanne, I totally agree!
This looks so tasty! Can’t wait for summer!
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Thanks, Lisa! I hope you make one this summer!
Yum, I love so many of the red fruits listed here.
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You and I both, Zoey!
I’ll be making this platter. Looks yummy
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Oh, please share a pic once you make it!
Looks delicious!
looks yummy! i love fruit!
Oh this platter looks delicious!! I love fresh fruit and knew a few of these facts but am excited to learn so much more of their benefits. Not that I need one to eat fresh fruit but if I did need one all the benefits would certainly be one.
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Christy, I’m so happy I was able share even more with you! Thanks for stopping by to read and share your thoughts 😉
This looks so good! I love how bright and colorful it is. Great idea for a summer BBQ!
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You’re so right- the perfect platter for a summer BBQ!
These platters look so enjoyable. We always use red and blue fruits for our july picnics
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Yeah- this platter would be 4th of July ready with the simple addition of blueberries!
So Glad I read this blog, a lot of things I didn’t know about red colorful fruits I will misty definitely be eating more strawberries and watermelon
What a wonderful platter.
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I’m glad you like it!
I never knew red fruits were full of antioxidants! Delicious & healthy = win win!
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Patricia, you said it best- win, win!!
That platter looks amazing and would taste even better than it looks.
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You’re so right—yummy!
Nice fruit platter! My favorite fruits are watermelon & strawberries!
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Love those, too! My favorite are cherries.