So many people know that fruits and vegetables are good for you, but not so many can say that they actually know the differences between the two. In terms of physical structure, taste, and nutrition, there are some noticeable differences between the two. Whether you’re looking to know the differences between them for the sake of research, knowledge, or whatever purpose you might be doing so for at all, you’re at the right place at the right time, as we will be providing all the necessary information in this article as we proceed. Kindly stay with us as we progress.
Now let’s tackle the question: what are the actual differences between fruits and vegetables?
Fruits and vegetables are actually classified from a culinary and botanical perspective.
From a botanical view, fruits and vegetables are actually classified based on the part of the plant they actually come from. A fruit is said to develop directly from the flower of a plant, while vegetables generally come from stems, roots, and leaves.
From a culinary perspective, they are differentiated according to taste. Fruits usually have a somewhat sweet flavor and are used in making juices, desserts, or snacks.
Vegetables generally have a more mild taste and are normally eaten together with other produce in a dish.
Although, there are some fruits that are taken to be vegetables when they really aren’t, which we will be looking at immediately.
You likely have a basic knowledge of what produce are called fruits and the ones that are called vegetables, at least in culinary terminology.
However, if you go by a technical basis, there are some farm produce that are considered fruits even though they are classified as vegetables, mainly for their taste.
Tomatoes are a great example of such a plant. If you’re speaking from a botanical perspective, tomatoes are supposed to be considered fruits. However, the majority of people consider them to be vegetables, mainly for their flavor.
Some other examples of fruits being mistaken as vegetables are: Winter squash, Avocados, Cucumbers, Peppers, etc.
Another variation is that vegetables with a sweet flavor might be mistakenly passed as fruits.
Even if there are so many fruits that can be considered vegetables, there are not so many vegetables that can be regarded as fruits.
Some vegetable types that are naturally sweeter compared to other vegetables and are used just like fruits are used in desserts, pies, etc.
Sweet potatoes, having a nice sweet flavor, are actually a vegetable even if they possess some characteristics of a fruit.
Another good example is yam, which is added to baked dishes and is considered a rooty vegetable and not a fruit, despite its appearance.
Between fruits and vegetables, what is their nutritional difference?
Fruits and vegetables are quite similar when it comes to nutrition. Both of them contain similar minerals and antioxidants.
They both generally have low levels of fat and sodium. You might think, because of how fruits are sweet, that they would probably be high in natural sugar compared to vegetables, but the truth is that you’re actually right; they are higher.
A cup of apples, for instance, contains way more calories and sugar than a cup of broccoli, which contains fewer calories and sugar.
There are also some fruits that have higher fiber content per gram than vegetables. The fiber content for each 100 grams of fruit falls between 2 and 15 grams, compared to vegetables that carry about 1.24–2.48 grams of fiber for the same weight.
There are also some differences when it comes to nutrients among the various groupings of fruits and vegetables.
- Tubers are actually rich in fiber and are a very good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and vitamin B.
- Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits are good carriers of Vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate, and antioxidants which are likely to protect against degenerative diseases.
- Cruciferous vegetables: this category of vegetables contains glucosinolates which are related to the preventing the development of cancerous cells.
- Berries: Berries contain a high level of anthocyanins, which are anti-inflammatory plant properties researched for their effectiveness to lower stress and increase heart health.
- Leafy greens contain carotenoids like lutein, that have been researched for reduction of potential health the risk of stroke and heart disease.
What health benefits can fruits and vegetables give?
Most people who eat fruits and vegetables do not just eat them for the sake of it; they also do it for their health benefits too. It doesn’t matter why you might be wanting to know the benefits of fruits and vegetables as it pertains to your health. In this article, we shall be giving you all the necessary information in detail. Kindly stay with us as we proceed.
There’s quite a very good number of studies that have been done, highlighting the health benefits of fruit and vegetable intake, which we’ll be looking at immediately.
Eating fruits and vegetables is paired with a reduced risk of potential heart problems.
A study showed that eating more than three square meals of fruit and veggies a day actually brought down the risk of cardiovascular problems.
Fruits and vegetables have very low saturated fat but are very high in fiber, which is likely to keep your weight under check. A study that followed 33,000 people over a 24 year span revealed that when people started taking higher rates of fruits and foods without or less starch, their weight likely decreased.
Increasing your intake of fiber through fruits and vegetables can actually lower your risk of contracting cancer. So many studies have shown that consistent fruit and vegetable consumption is literally connected to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.
Lastly, eating fruits and vegetables can really help your blood sugar. Since fruits and vegetables are quality sources of fiber, they slow the intake of sugar, which does keep the level of blood sugar balanced.
A study showed that a high intake of fruit and vegetables can lead to a reduction in the health threat of diabetes.
Are canned and frozen fruits lower in nutrients?
If you’re looking for the best fruits and vegetables , then the ones grown at home are the best, especially for a healthy diet. But if you live in an area with many seasons, the growing seasons for fresh fruits and vegetables can be short. A lot of the time, our produce comes from other states, which affects the freshness and nutritional content of the said fruits and vegetables. This is why you find canned and frozen produce available all year round in grocery stores.
Actually, these processed fruits and vegetables are a healthy source because of the addition of photochemicals. Research conducted by the Michigan State University Extension found that canned fruits and vegetables are equally as nutritious as fresh or frozen.
Here are a few tips to consider when you next want to buy canned food:
- Fruits should be in their own juices. Do not buy fruits if they are in syrup.
- Beware of the salt. Purchase vegetables with reduced sodium or no salt added.
- Use it immediately after you open it. If you want the most nutrients out of your canned fruit, use it immediately after you open it.
A few things to consider before purchasing frozen fruits and vegetables:
- Only buy plain vegetables and fruits when buying them frozen. This is because added sauces can mean extra added weight for you.
- Go ahead and check the label. Frozen fruits found in grocery stores have sweetened and unsweetened varieties. The label on the fruit will indicate if there are added sugars or if the fruit maintains its own juice.
Are smoothies and juices just as good as eating whole fruits and vegetables?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but fruit in general is not as healthy as whole fruit.It doesn’t matter whether the juice was freshly squeezed on the spot, it is still less healthy compared to eating a whole fruit.
You may actually think that since fruits are typically from the fruit, then they are the same, but that is wrong. The reason is that the fruit’s skin and pulp are actually high in dietary fiber, which your juice doesn’t really contain.
However, taking fruit juice is really quite healthier compared to taking a soda pop that contains fruit-flavored beverages that contain loads of sugar and sweeteners, but it doesn’t equate to the health benefits of a whole fruit.