Scientist says 'vilified' superfood zaps inflammation and cholesterol

Dr Federica Amati head nutritionist at Zoe spoke out after some people criticised fruit
-Credit: (Image: Zoe)


A nutritional scientist has spoken about a type of food she said has been ‘vilified’ but which can help people with inflammation, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Dr Federica Amati, the author of Every Body Should Know This and head nutritionist at Zoe, the health science company founded by Tim Spector, spoke out on her instagram page.

She said that some people had been criticising fruit as it contains sugar - but explained that the evidence was so clear that it does good that there ‘is no room for contest’. She said among vitamins including C, it also contains polyphenols, which is a substance which are very good for the stomach microbiome which reduces inflammation in the body - and this can assist in avoiding dementia, arthritis and diabetes. And with lots of vitamin C they reduce blood pressure, heart disease and dementia.

She said: “Is eating fruit even good for you? Well, let me tell you, the evidence is so clear that there is no room for contest. People have vilified fruit because they contain sugar, but that’s absolutely not a problem. There are so many other things that are good for you in fruit. It’s high in fibre. It’s high in colourful chemicals that are great for your health called polyphenols.

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“It contributes to lots of micronutrients and vitamins, and it also tastes delicious. We don’t eat enough fruit, and it’s contributing to more death and disease. It is one of the leading causes of diet-related diseases. So whether you love a banana or an apple, your favourite. Or perhaps you love Berries and they can be frozen and be just as nutritious and good for you, we need to make sure we’re eating more fruits every day at every age. The key is to enjoy them whole. Try to avoid fruit juices or fruit smoothies as your primary source of fruit, and really go for the whole fruit chopped up or enjoyed whole as it is, fruit is definitely good for you.”

And in her post, she added: “We don’t eat enough of it and a diet low in fruit is a contributing factor to death and disease so whatever your favourite is, the key is to enjoy them whole (either chopped up or enjoyed as is). Frozen fruit is also just as nutritious. Try to include fruits every day at every age.”