Health Benefits of Crops in Arizona (Spring Edition)

After a long winter, there is nothing more welcoming than the sight of Arizona’s spring crops. The heat of the desert allows fruit and vegetable delights to grow and thrive.

In this blog post, we will be sharing some of the freshest most nutritious picks at farmers’ markets all season long. According to Fill Your Plate, the following are the top spring produce grown and sold in Arizona:

1. Corn

Corn or maize provides the necessary calories for a healthy metabolism. It is also a rich source of vitamin A, B, E, and an abundance of minerals. Its high fiber content plays a significant role in combating digestive ailments such as constipation, hemorrhoids, and the prevention of colorectal cancer. The antioxidants within in it also act as anti-carcinogenic agents and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Summer Squash

Squash is incredibly high in vitamins A, B6, and C, folate, magnesium, fiber, phosphorus, potassium, and riboflavin — making it a seriously nutritional power-packed vegetable. Squash is also rich in manganese, the mineral that not only boosts skeletal strength, but also aids the body in processing fats and carbohydrates.

3. Cantaloupes

The cantaloupe is a fantastic source of potassium, vitamin Bs, vitamin K, folate, magnesium, and fiber. Aside from the flesh, its seeds are also edible. They provide a measurable amount of omega 3 fat in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, which is necessary for preventing and managing heart disease.

Cantaloupes are also beneficial for hair growth because of their vitamin A content, a nutrient required for sebum production. Vitamin A is also essential for the healthy growth of all bodily tissues, including the skin — the largest organ in the human body.

4. Apricots

Apricots are an excellent food item that protects your heart from a wide variety of diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis. When it comes to the seed, some of its health benefits include boosting digestive health, balancing cholesterol levels, increasing energy, protecting the skin, strengthening the heart, supporting the immune system, soothing respiratory distress, and preventing cancer.

5. Tomatoes

The amazing health benefits of tomatoes include relief from diabetes, skin problems, and urinary tract infections. Furthermore, the fruit improves digestion, stimulates blood circulation, reduces cholesterol levels, improves fluid balance, protects the kidneys, detoxifies the body, prevents premature aging, and reduces inflammation. Tomatoes also consist of several antioxidants that have been proven to fight different forms of cancer.

6. Lemons

Lemonds do wonders in the treatment of indigestion, constipation, fever, internal bleeding, rheumatism, respiratory disorders, cholera, high blood pressure, dental problems, and throat infections while also benefiting your hair and skin. The acidic fruit is recognized for its therapeutic property, which helps strengthen your immune system by cleansing the stomach. Lemons are also considered a blood purifier.

7. Oranges

Oranges offer several benefits to one’s health and are considered some of the healthiest foods in existence. The versatile citrus fruit has the ability to boost immunity, reduce signs of aging, boost cellular repair and metabolism, detoxify the body, improve circulation and blood pressure, reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, and even prevent cancer.

Why Eat Seasonally and Locally

In-season produce is fresher and tastes significantly better than their canned or transported variety. When local fruits and vegetables are picked for consumption, keep in mind that they have been ripened on the vine or the tree, and was harvested at the right time. Therefore, it will have much more flavor and nutritional value.