Recipe Station

I found out some super strange things about fruits and veggies and I also found some debunked myths.

Are you ready to expand your knowledge? Below I've listed my favorite facts!

1. Bananas are not what you think.

Forget everything you think you know about bananas, besides the fact that they taste delicious with ice cream.

In the 1950′s, a disease called the Panama Disease all but wiped out an entire species of banana which motivated farmers to use the Cavendish banana which we all eat today. The bananas we eat are actually all cloned from a single banana plant in southeast Asia which means that every single banana is exactly the same banana. Also, bananas are technically herbs.

2. Frozen is just as good.

You don't have to be a slave to the Farmer's Market to get the most out of your food. Sometimes, convenience and budget prevails!

Studies by the FDA have confirmed that any decrease in nutrition from freezing vegetables is negligible at best. So you can eat it fresh, frozen or even drink it and you’ll get the same benefits!

3. The veggie you hate most is actually the best for you.

If you are one of the few individuals who truly enjoy Brussels sprouts, good for you! For the rest of us, we really should find a way to like them.

It is packed with vitamins and minerals, has virtually no calories, no fat, no cholesterol and it even fills you up. You can find a variety of recipes that help deal with the occasionally bitter flavor but you should definitely try to pack more of these puppies into your diet.

4. You can get all the protein you need without meat.

Broccoli is much higher in protein than steak.

Calorie for calorie, there is more protein in broccoli than steak. Since it doesn’t come with all those saturated and trans fats or cholesterol, you can get all the protein you need with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

5. Replace your coffee with an apple.

Or, eat an apple along with your coffee for maximum effect.

If you’re finding yourself a little low on energy during the afternoon then consider eating an apple in the morning with your coffee. Thanks to its high carbohydrate, vitamin and mineral content, apples have the perfect storm of nutrition to help you stay energized all day.

6. Grapefruit can kill you.

This is one that I am shocked I did not know.

If you take certain medication, the chemicals in grapefruit can cause a bad reaction that can have fatal results. If you’re on medications, be sure to check with a medical professional before drinking or consuming any grapefruit because it could end very badly for you.

7. Tomato is a fruit, but by law it is a vegetable.

If the government has the power to change what a type of food actually is, I really wish they would make ice cream a fruit and chocolate cake a vegetable.

In the late 1800′s, the US Supreme Court ruled that tomatoes are to be considered a vegetable. This was because of a trade tariff back then that taxes imported vegetables but not imported fruits. The Supreme Court ruled tomatoes a vegetable so they could be taxed like a vegetable when imported into the country.

8. Your taste buds hate pineapple.

Yes pineapple is SO delicious and refreshing! It also takes your taste buds out for the day.

A little known fact about pineapple is that it contains an enzyme called bromelain. This enzyme breaks down proteins in your mouth, namely your taste buds. This can wreck your palate for the rest of the day until your mouth can heal itself.

9. Peppers will heal you inside and outside.

Next time you have a flesh wound, remember this fact:

According to experts, you can sprinkle some cayenne pepper into a wound where it will act as gauze. This will help stop the bleeding. Eating cayenne pepper can also help equalize blood pressure and promote clotting from the inside. That means it doesn’t matter if you eat it or literally put it on the wound, it will help it heal faster.

10. The thing you hate about onions is actually the best part.

Onions can wreak havoc in the kitchen. By the time your done you are crying and stinking. This means it's working!

Onions contain over 100 sulfide-containing compounds. These contain a number of health benefits such as the prevention of asthma and some types of cancer.

How are you feeling about your fruits and vegetables now? These products of the earth are not to be taken lightly. They are little warrior foods, under-estimated often, and not consumed nearly enough. I bet you are craving a big salad now!

Which of these facts surprised you the most?

Find more interesting information at: Life Hack!