January 21, 2024 | 05:00 pm PT
My household prefers international merchandise and sometimes buys imported fruits as we discover them tastier and extra nutritious. Is that this true? (Quynh, 34, Hanoi)
Reply:
Many individuals choose consuming imported fruits as a result of they consider that they’re tastier, extra nutritious, and higher for his or her well being in comparison with home fruits. Nevertheless, this may increasingly not at all times be true. In actuality, home fruits could be extra appropriate for the well being and bodily situation of individuals dwelling in Vietnam because the vegetation in a selected area are greatest suited to nourish the animals, together with people, in that ecosystem.
Although some sort of imported fruits might have greater ranges of vitamins in comparison with native fruits, their nutrient degree might exceed the necessities of the residents in that particular area. As well as, imported fruits are sometimes harvested low season and bear lengthy transportation durations, whereas native fruits are grown in-season and don’t undergo rigorous preservation phases, ensuing of their freshest doable high quality.
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Combined berries. Illustration photograph by Freepik |
Moreover, primarily based on the Dietary Composition Desk of Vietnam launched by the Nationwide Institute of Diet, quite a few varieties of imported fruits have decrease nutrient content material in comparison with native fruits. For instance, the calcium content material in an area apple is twice as excessive as that in an imported apple, with the previous having 44 milligrams in comparison with solely 19 milligrams within the latter. The vitamin C content material in an area apple is 24 milligrams, additionally considerably greater than the quantity of seven milligrams present in an imported apple.
Subsequently, it’s suggested to prioritize the consumption of native fruits, which provide a number of well being advantages. Choosing regionally grown seasonal fruits not solely helps native farmers and is cost-effective but in addition gives an abundance of vitamins which can be well-suited to the native inhabitants’s well being wants.
Imported fruits can nonetheless be a very good supply of vitamin to diversify your meals, however it’s important to not overlook the advantages of native fruits.
Dr. Dang Ngoc Hung
Director of the Diet Analysis and Consulting Institute