Tag: Natural fruit

Plums are one of the first fruits domesticated by humans, with archaeological evidence suggesting cultivation as far back as the Neolithic age. While wild species of plums do exist naturally, many commercial varieties today are a result of centuries of cultivation, hybridization, and selective breeding. Understanding the history and botany reveals that yes, plums are a natural fruit, but the ones you find in the supermarket have been enhanced by human intervention.

According to the American Heart Association, many canned fruit products, including some fruit cocktails, are packed in heavy syrup containing high levels of added sugar. This raises the critical question: is fruit cocktail nutrition a genuine health benefit, or is it merely a sugary dessert disguised as a wholesome snack? The answer depends heavily on the type of liquid the fruit is packed in.

First identified in China in the early 1980s, red kiwifruit was initially a naturally occurring variant of the gold-fleshed kiwi species, *Actinidia chinensis*. This sweet and vibrant fruit has since been developed and commercialized through natural cross-breeding programs to enhance its desirable qualities.

Over 70% of commercially available dried fruits, including cherries, contain added sweeteners to enhance flavor and preserve color. Fortunately, finding dried cherries that have no added sugar is possible by knowing which brands to trust and how to read a product's ingredient list. Opting for the unsweetened version means enjoying a nutrient-dense snack without the empty calories.

Over 10,000 years ago, wild bananas were almost inedible, filled with large, hard seeds and very little pulp. This begs the question: are bananas real or man-made? The answer lies in thousands of years of human intervention and selective breeding.

With over 1,000 different varieties of bananas globally, many consumers are curious about the authenticity of less common variants like the red banana. When considering a diverse nutrition diet, understanding what makes this vibrantly colored fruit natural is key.