Whether you’re a curious foodie or just love a good trivia tidbit, these four fun facts will add some flavor to your knowledge and might even inspire a new appreciation for what’s on your plate!
1.There are 7,500 varieties of apples in the world. If you were to eat an apple a day, it would take you over 20 years to try one of each! Which apple you choose depends on what type of flavor and texture you like and whether you plan to use it for
snacking, baking, making applesauce, or adding to salads.
An apple a day is, indeed, a healthy choice. Apples are a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds (phytochemicals). They are about 85 percent water, which makes them a refreshing and hydrating snack.
If you don’t love apples, the good news is that many other fruits have similar nutrient content. As healthy (and delicious) as apples are, consuming a variety of fruits (and veggies) is the best choice.
2. Honey never spoils. The low moisture content and high sugar concentration of honey create an environment where spoilage bacteria cannot grow.
Most commercially sold honey is exposed to a mild heat (pasteurized) to slow down the natural crystallization process. Raw, unprocessed honey is touted as healthier because the heating process may break down pollen and some of the vitamins and other compounds in the honey. However, while honey does contain some potentially beneficial nutrients such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidant polyphenols and flavonoids, the small amount of honey typically consumed provides only trace amounts of these compounds, and we get plenty of these nutrients from other foods in our diets. Pasteurized honey is preferrable because raw honey can harbor botulism spores, making it unsafe for infants under one year old (who should not eat any type of honey) and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Keep in mind that honey is sugar. Like any added sugar, it is not good for your body and intake should be limited.
3. Peanuts and pistachios aren’t technically nuts. Peanuts, otherwise known as ground nuts, belong to the legume family, like beans and lentils, while pistachios are drupes, related to peaches and cherries. Despite their botanical classifications, their nutritional makeup is similar to tree nuts. They are rich in unsaturated fats, provide plant sources of protein to replace some animal sources on your plate, and have plenty of fiber.
Both pistachios and peanuts are nutritious additions to a balanced diet. Just be careful to avoid added salts and sugars, and keep portions of these nutritious but calorie-dense foods small.
4. In the 1800s, ketchup was marketed as a cure-all. Tomato-based ketchup was believed to treat a variety of ailments, including indigestion, jaundice, and even rheumatism. This was largely due to the perception that tomatoes had powerful medicinal properties. (Interestingly, some cultures at one time avoided eating tomatoes because of their botanical relationship to nightshades—plants that can be deadly.)
Cooked tomatoes, whether in ketchup or any type of tomato sauce, are an excellent source of lycopene. In the laboratory, lycopene was observed to be a potent antioxidant that had been linked to reduced risk of certain cancers. However, these findings have not been adequately corroborated in humans.
Modern commercial ketchup is often high in added sugars and sodium, which can contribute to high blood pressure and metabolic disorders if consumed in excess. Consider choosing reduced-sugar, reduced-sodium varieties.
➧ Apple, Blueberry, Clementine… All fruits provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and water. Regularly include a variety as part of your dietary intake.
➧ Go Nuts! All the foods we call “nuts” contain heart- healthy fats, fiber, and other beneficial nutrients.
➧ Pick Plant Protein. Animal flesh is the densest source of protein, but plants have protein too—and they’re a healthy replacement for meat.
➧ Hype is Nothing New. Marketers have always made health claims for foods. Check for added sugars, sodium, refined carbohydrates (like white flour), and saturated fats before buying.