How many times have you heard “fruit’s so healthy,” vitamins and fiber, where else do you get it if not from fruit,” and the killer argument “fruit is totally Paleo, our ancestors ate it so why vilify it”? Not that I want to vilify it or suggest staying away from it, but there is some balance to these often heard claims that must be provided. Let’s start with this latter statement, regarding our ancestors eating it. Here are two problems with this.
First is, is what we call a fruit today the same thing available to our ancestors? Let me show you something:
That’s a wild apple we stumbled onto in the forest. As you can see from the exterior, it wouldn’t be accepted as a merchandise to sell in a grocery store. The most remarkable thing appearance wise though is size. Here it is next to more conventional apple (still not from the store but a cultured variety:
Impressive difference, isn’t it? And the one on the left is not really the large apple. Actually, to give you even better idea, here they are with measuring tape next to them:
Taste and flavor wise, it’s quite different as well. It’s way less sweet and quite a bit more flavorful. Most of modern palates though probably wouldn’t enjoy it, being trained to identify “tasty” with “sweet.”
Another such comparison (not my photo this time):
There are more stunning comparisons available here.
Second problem with fruit consumption is seasonal availability. This of course changes with geography – equatorial areas have year-round availability, while Canada presents what, about 2 months-long natural window?
The whole “we bred fruit to be larger and sweeter than ancestral fruit” is not as simple. If you want the nuance and the other side of the argument, this article will provide a balance. It’s difficult however not to take the difference into account when the latest article making rounds states:
Zookeepers in Melbourne have had to wean their animals off fruit — which is now so full of sugar that it has made them fat and rotted their teeth.
Then there is whole issue of growing them under artificial or filtered light of the greenhouses. If you are familiar with Dr. Kruse work or read John Ott’s Health and Light, you know it might be an issue on much deeper level than just sugar and fiber.
And speaking of those vitamins that we are allegedly will be deprived off if not for fruit…
Now, let me state clearly: I am not a fruit hater. Far from it. I enjoy it and consider it a part of healthy eating. I however try to limit it to an appropriate season and variety. Locally available berry and fruit is a go. Tropical fruit in February in Canada – not so much.
