I grew up in Nara, Japan, surrounded by fruit trees, farms, and generous neighbors who would bring us baskets of freshly picked strawberries, watermelons, persimmons, figs, and pretty much anything that was ripe on their farm.
Fruit was part of the seasons, traditions, celebrations, and even medicine. As a nutritionist, I still believe that fruit is one of the most powerful tools we have for supporting health and longevity. Plus, it tastes incredible.
While I’m obsessed with all fruit, here are the five I always keep in my kitchen for a long and healthy life.
Apples are high in vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and polyphenols. They also contain both prebiotics and probiotics, supporting gut health (which is closely connected to brain and immune function). Apples are even known to have anti-cancer properties.
There are over 90 varieties of apples grown in the U.S., but most people stick to a few like Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp, or Granny Smith. When you try different types, you’ll get a wider variety of nutrients and flavors.
