Pure Fruit Diet

Fruit is the fleshy seed structure of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state. Common fruits that have been domesticated for the purpose of human consumption include grapes, bananas, peaches, oranges and apples. The term can also refer to nuts, tomatoes, berries and other plant components that do not meet a formal definition of fruit. Most fruits are rich in nutrients that are essential to the basic sustenance of humans; some people even build a diet around them.

Definition

There is no rigorous definition of a pure fruit diet. It may mean a diet high in fruit, or in extremis it can mean fruitarianism, which is a diet made up of at least 75 percent fruit at the expense of animal products, vegetables and grains.

Benefits

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, most fruits are naturally low in fats, sodium and calories, and none have any cholesterol. Potassium, a mineral that can help maintain a healthy blood pressure, is found in bananas, prune juice, dried peaches and apricots, cantaloupe, honeydew melon and orange juice. Dietary fiber, which provides a feeling of fullness and is important for proper bowl function, is found in most whole fruits. Vitamin C, an important nutrient in the growth and repair of tissue, is found in citrus fruits. Folic acid helps the body form red blood cells -- it exists in certain fruits such as bananas, citrus juices and strawberries.

Carbohydrates

All fruits are good sources of carbohydrates. The sweet taste of the fruit is derived from the preponderance of natural sugar, which is absorbed at a slower rate in the digestive system than most sugar due to the presence of fiber. The MayoClinic.com website states that between 45 and 65 percent of total calories should come from carbohydrates. Fruit can therefore be an important part of every meal.

Warning

Eating mostly pure fruit is sometimes done for the purpose of cleansing, which is claimed to remove toxins from the body, or it can be done for ethical reasons, but fruit alone is insufficient for a proper diet. It cannot provide the proteins and fats absolutely critical for the functions of the body. Therefore, unless you are going to be on a fruit diet for a short time, it is essential that you surround the fruit with plenty of grains, meats, vegetables and other foods.

Considerations

A 1971 study published in the "South African Medical Journal" is one of the few studies that have been conducted on practitioners of a fruitarianism-type diet. It found that glucose tolerance, insulin secretion, plasma proteins and plasma lipids were all within adequate levels. However, the diet has been known to cause health concerns and development issues in some cases. In July of 2009, as reported by BBC New, a 9-month-old baby died of a chest infection brought on by malnutrition after being fed a diet of fruits and nuts.

References

• Living Foods: Types of Raw Food Diets
• United States Department of Agriculture: Why Is it Important to Eat Fruits?
• Mayo Clinic: Healthy Diet
• "South African Medical Journal"; Some Biochemical Effects of a Mainly Fruit Diet In Man; B.J. Meyer, E.J. de Bruin, D.G. Du Plessis, M. van der Merwe, A.C. Meyer; March, 1971
• "South African Medical Journal"; Archives; Some Biochemical Effects of a Mainly Fruit Diet In Man; B.J. Meyer, E.J. de Bruin, D.G. Du Plessis, M. van der Merwe, A.C. Meyer; March, 1971
• BBC News: Baby Death Parents Spared Jail