{"id":24156,"date":"2025-08-27T09:51:17","date_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/?p=24156"},"modified":"2025-08-27T09:51:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:51:19","slug":"are-sugary-all-season-fruits-less-nutritious","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/are-sugary-all-season-fruits-less-nutritious\/","title":{"rendered":"Are sugary all-season fruits less nutritious?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Claim: A Facebook user, Doctor of the Future, claims<\/a> that fruits, particularly sugary fruits available all year round, are grown \u201cfor profit and not for nutrition.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Verdict: Misleading. Nutrition experts say fruits, whether seasonal or all-season, are packed with essential nutrients and remain a key part of a healthy diet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full Text<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From the familiar saying \u201can apple a day\u2026\u201d to the well-known \u201c5-a-day\u201d<\/strong><\/a> recommendation, we are constantly reminded that eating fruit is good for our health. Recently, however, some claims have surfaced questioning this long-standing advice, suggesting that fruits available all year round are not as nutritious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Facebook user, known as Doctor of the Future,<\/a> made such a claim, alleging that sugary fruits, especially those available all year round, are primarily produced for commercial gain rather than nutrition. The post appeared on his verified page, where he identifies as a nutritionist and \u201cfuture health\u201d expert, and has over 419,000 followers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Aug. 16, 2025, the post had garnered more than 3,000 likes, 2,000 comments, and 98 shares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some followers supported the claim, suggesting that many fruits sold today are modified, preserved, or treated with chemicals. Others criticised it, insisting that fruit remains essential to good health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A user, Pilgrim Ekpenyong, commented, \u201cWho will now consume them? You mean they’ll grow, get ripe, and then spoil? I’m not sure God would want us to waste.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another user, Franca John Nweke, asked, \u201cI thought there\u2019s a saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. So the reverse should be the case now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others, such as Ukah Chika Excellence and Blackie Victoria, expressed concerns about chemical preservation, with Blackie noting, \u201cWhat he meant was that those all-season fruits are preserved with chemicals and we should avoid them… But if you can get the direct one from the tree, then it’s good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verification<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the World Health Organization<\/a> (WHO), fruits are a rich source of essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and antioxidants. The WHO<\/a> says regular fruit consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WHO recommends consuming more than 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day to improve health and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although specific figures for 2025 are unavailable, studies <\/a>indicate that low consumption of fruits and vegetables contributes to millions of deaths globally each year. In 2027, the Food and Agriculture Organization<\/a> (FAO) estimated that approximately 3.9 million deaths worldwide were linked to inadequate intake of these foods. According to the FAO<\/a>, most of the fatalities were associated with non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, certain cancers, and diabetes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cleveland Clinic<\/a> notes that fruits such as apples, bananas, cherries, grapes, mangoes, oranges, pears, pineapple, and watermelon naturally contain high levels of sugar. For instance, a medium-sized apple has around 19 grams of sugar, a cup of grapes contains about 23 grams, and a whole mango can have up to 45 grams. However, the natural<\/a> sugars found in fruit are processed differently by the body compared to added sugars found in processed foods like sweets and pastries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Experts Say<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A nutritionist and Founder of The Lagos Dietitian Consultancy, Abasianie Udo-Umo, dismissed the claim that fruits available all year round in the country are artificial or less nutritious, stressing that fruits such as bananas, pawpaw (papaya), pineapple, oranges, and watermelon are naturally grown across different regions of Nigeria and retain their full nutritional value regardless of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe fact that some fruits are available all year doesn\u2019t mean they are artificial or less healthy,\u201d Udo-Umo said. \u201cThey are naturally rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants that the body needs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She explained that the year-round supply is possible because the fruits are grown at different times across various parts of the country. \u201cWhat happens is simple: as one region finishes harvesting, another region begins. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll almost always find bananas, pawpaw, oranges, pineapple, and watermelon in the market,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Highlighting their nutritional benefits, the dietitian added, \u201cBananas are rich in potassium, which supports heart health. Pawpaw contains vitamin A and enzymes that aid digestion, while oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C that boosts immunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Udo-Umo emphasised that most of these fruits are sold fresh in Nigeria without the use of chemical preservatives. \u201cUnlike imported fruits such as apples or grapes that may require cold storage or wax coating to extend shelf life, our local all-season fruits are largely fresh from the farm. What Nigerians are buying is not artificially preserved,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, dietitian Shoretire Michael noted that while some fruits may vary in size, juice content, or sweetness depending on the season, they still provide essential nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFruits like pawpaw and oranges can be available all year round. However, during the dry season, you may notice that oranges have less juice compared to the rainy season unless they are grown under proper irrigation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that fruit trees also bear fruit at different intervals, which contributes to their year-round availability. \u201cIf you have three or four pawpaw or orange trees in a compound, they won\u2019t all bear fruit at the same time. That is why fruits like pawpaw appear to be available all year round,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concerns that all-season fruits are overly sugary were addressed by the dietitian, who clarified that most fruits naturally contain sugar, primarily glucose and fructose. \u201cVirtually all fruits are sugary, but that doesn\u2019t make them unhealthy. The sugar in fruits is not just glucose; it can also be fructose, or sometimes both in combination,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAll fruits are healthy, depending on how well they are handled. The only exceptions are people with health conditions or allergies to certain fruits. Otherwise, fruits provide fiber, juice, and seeds that support good health,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on preservation methods, he stressed that fruits do not require chemical preservatives to extend their shelf life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is no need to use chemicals to preserve fruits. What can be done is controlled or modified atmosphere storage, refrigeration, or natural methods like sun drying for fruits such as dates, grapes, or tiger nuts,\u201d Michael explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While fruits contain natural sugars, nutrition experts say they remain highly beneficial when eaten in moderation, particularly due to their fibre, antioxidants, and water content. Therefore, the claim that sugary, all-season fruits are produced \u201cfor profit and not nutrition\u201d is misleading.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Claim: A Facebook user, Doctor of the Future, claims that fruits, particularly sugary fruits available all year round, are grown \u201cfor profit and not for nutrition.\u201d Verdict: Misleading. Nutrition experts say fruits, whether seasonal or all-season, are packed with essential nutrients and remain a key part of a healthy diet. Full Text From the familiar saying \u201can apple a day\u2026\u201d to the well-known \u201c5-a-day\u201d recommendation, we are constantly reminded that eating fruit is good for our health. Recently, however, some claims have surfaced questioning this long-standing advice, suggesting that fruits available all year round are not as nutritious. One Facebook user, known as Doctor of the Future, made such a claim, alleging that sugary fruits, especially those available all year round, are primarily produced for commercial gain rather than nutrition. The post appeared on his verified page, where he identifies as a nutritionist and \u201cfuture health\u201d expert, and has over 419,000 followers. By Aug. 16, 2025, the post had garnered more than 3,000 likes, 2,000 comments, and 98 shares. Some followers supported the claim, suggesting that many fruits sold today are modified, preserved, or treated with chemicals. Others criticised it, insisting that fruit remains essential to good health. A user, Pilgrim Ekpenyong, commented, \u201cWho will now consume them? You mean they’ll grow, get ripe, and then spoil? I’m not sure God would want us to waste.\u201d Another user, Franca John Nweke, asked, \u201cI thought there\u2019s a saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. So the reverse should be the case now?\u201d Others, such as Ukah Chika Excellence and Blackie Victoria, expressed concerns about chemical preservation, with Blackie noting, \u201cWhat he meant was that those all-season fruits are preserved with chemicals and we should avoid them… But if you can get the direct one from the tree, then it’s good.\u201d Verification According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fruits are a rich source of essential vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and antioxidants. The WHO says regular fruit consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The WHO recommends consuming more than 400 grams of fruits and vegetables per day to improve health and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Although specific figures for 2025 are unavailable, studies indicate that low consumption of fruits and vegetables contributes to millions of deaths globally each year. In 2027, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that approximately 3.9 million deaths worldwide were linked to inadequate intake of these foods. According to the FAO, most of the fatalities were associated with non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, certain cancers, and diabetes. The Cleveland Clinic notes that fruits such as apples, bananas, cherries, grapes, mangoes, oranges, pears, pineapple, and watermelon naturally contain high levels of sugar. For instance, a medium-sized apple has around 19 grams of sugar, a cup of grapes contains about 23 grams, and a whole mango can have up to 45 grams. However, the natural sugars found in fruit are processed differently by the body compared to added sugars found in processed foods like sweets and pastries. What Experts Say A nutritionist and Founder of The Lagos Dietitian Consultancy, Abasianie Udo-Umo, dismissed the claim that fruits available all year round in the country are artificial or less nutritious, stressing that fruits such as bananas, pawpaw (papaya), pineapple, oranges, and watermelon are naturally grown across different regions of Nigeria and retain their full nutritional value regardless of the season. \u201cThe fact that some fruits are available all year doesn\u2019t mean they are artificial or less healthy,\u201d Udo-Umo said. \u201cThey are naturally rich in nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants that the body needs.\u201d She explained that the year-round supply is possible because the fruits are grown at different times across various parts of the country. \u201cWhat happens is simple: as one region finishes harvesting, another region begins. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll almost always find bananas, pawpaw, oranges, pineapple, and watermelon in the market,\u201d she noted. Highlighting their nutritional benefits, the dietitian added, \u201cBananas are rich in potassium, which supports heart health. Pawpaw contains vitamin A and enzymes that aid digestion, while oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C that boosts immunity.\u201d Udo-Umo emphasised that most of these fruits are sold fresh in Nigeria without the use of chemical preservatives. \u201cUnlike imported fruits such as apples or grapes that may require cold storage or wax coating to extend shelf life, our local all-season fruits are largely fresh from the farm. What Nigerians are buying is not artificially preserved,\u201d she explained. Additionally, dietitian Shoretire Michael noted that while some fruits may vary in size, juice content, or sweetness depending on the season, they still provide essential nutrients. \u201cFruits like pawpaw and oranges can be available all year round. However, during the dry season, you may notice that oranges have less juice compared to the rainy season unless they are grown under proper irrigation,\u201d he said. He added that fruit trees also bear fruit at different intervals, which contributes to their year-round availability. \u201cIf you have three or four pawpaw or orange trees in a compound, they won\u2019t all bear fruit at the same time. That is why fruits like pawpaw appear to be available all year round,\u201d he explained. Concerns that all-season fruits are overly sugary were addressed by the dietitian, who clarified that most fruits naturally contain sugar, primarily glucose and fructose. \u201cVirtually all fruits are sugary, but that doesn\u2019t make them unhealthy. The sugar in fruits is not just glucose; it can also be fructose, or sometimes both in combination,\u201d he said. \u201cAll fruits are healthy, depending on how well they are handled. The only exceptions are people with health conditions or allergies to certain fruits. Otherwise, fruits provide fiber, juice, and seeds that support good health,\u201d he noted. Speaking on preservation methods, he stressed that fruits do not require chemical preservatives to extend their shelf life. \u201cThere is no need to use chemicals to preserve fruits.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24157,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"hannibal_claim_source":"","hannibal_source_label":"","hannibal_card_color":"blue","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[1571,437,3812,121,3815],"tags":[],"verdict":[],"ppma_author":[4087],"class_list":["post-24156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fact-check","category-facebook-checks","category-headline","category-health","category-homepage"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8R6dE-6hC","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"authors":[{"term_id":4087,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"juliet-buna","display_name":"Juliet Buna","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&r=g","author_category":"","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Fruits-image.jpg?fit=1600%2C1064&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24156"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24158,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24156\/revisions\/24158"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24156"},{"taxonomy":"verdict","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/verdict?post=24156"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dubawa.org\/dir\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=24156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}