Hottestgistnaija.com
A renowned nutritionist, Dr. Bisi Abiola has identified cultural and natural restrictions as the
major problems preventing a greater percentage of Nigerians from meeting the recommended
daily fruit servings.
Abiola, Managing Director of Indulge Nigeria Limited, said this in her latest monthly healthy
living discourse, a platform that reviews the positive role that fruit juice can and does play in
a healthy diet
During the series sponsored by Chivita, the nutritionist said Nigerian culture does not
recognise fruit as satisfying enough to stand as a diet. This, she noted, is one of the reasons
many people do not pay serious attention to fruit consumption.
The expert regretted that the few people who have risen above the confine of unfavourable
culture to embrace fruit meal are often confronted with convenience and suitability
challenges.
To enjoy the benefits of fruit all seasons, Abiola urged health-cautious and busy individuals
to embrace 100% pure fruit juice, which she described as a perfect substitute for whole fruits.
She, however, cautioned consumers to pay attention to labels while shopping to ensure that
they buy pure fruit juice, saying: “If 100% fruit juice is not clearly written on the pack, it is
likely not a pure fruit juice.
“The truth is that 100% fruit juice is proven to have similar or exactly same nutrition as fresh
juice does, straight from a fruit without added sugar or preservatives. In other words, 100%
fruit juice is nutrient-dense beverage that provides vitamins, minerals (folic acid, thiamine
and magnesium) and beneficial plant nutrients like polyphenols.
“When fruit juice is 100%, it counts as one portion of fruit, which is not only convenient but
also helpful as many Nigerians do not meet their daily fruit quota for the maintenance of
good health.”
