Five Hybrid Fruits That Bring About Big Health Benefits

While the thought of eating hybrid fruit may not be appealing to some, Men's Health magazine quoted Jim White, R.D., a spokesman for the American Dietetic Associationt o state, "The best hybrids combine the qualities of two or even three fruits. You're eating a wider variety of nutrients."

Whether it be their unconventional look or the fear that they are too hybridized, it has been determined that hybrid fruit provide huge health benefits to those who choose to supplement their favorite fruits with their choice of the hybrid variety.

Listed below are five hybrid fruit varieties and their health benefits.

1. The Limequat - The Hybrid Protector of Hearts.

Cross a kumquat and a key lime and what to you get? The limequat.

Possessing a sweet tasting skin that contrast with its bitter sweet pulp (a taste similar to limes), this citrus hybrid provides about 20 percent of your daily fiber intake, which helps control blood sugar levels - which in turn may lower a persons risk of type-2 diabetes - as well as reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Eat it whole - skin and all - or use the juice and rind to flavor your favorite drinks or dishes, or make a cool Two Quat Tini drink (visit fruitmaven.com for a tangy Two Quat Tini drink recipe).

2. Minneola Tangelo - May Prevent Various Cancers.

A hybrid citrus fruit resulting from the cross breeding of Duncan grapefruit and a Dancy tangerine, this sweet and juicy fruit provide more flavonones - which is an antioxidant associated with lower risks of various cancers such as colorectal, esophageal, gastric, and stomach cancers).

While some experts warn that eating a tangelo can interact with prescription drugs such as statins (like Lipitor and Zocor), a small case study stated the opposite.

Therefore, check with your doctor before eating a grapefruit, any fruit related to it, or any hybrid produced from it.

3. The Plumcot - The Hybrid Age Fighter and Immune Booster.

A perfect combination of a plum and an apricot, this intensely sweet fruit is not simply packed with exploding flavor, it is also packed with anthocyanins.

So much more than just an element responsible for the pigmentation found in red, purple, and blue fruit, anthocyanins found in the plumcot provide the eater with age-fighting antioxidants, as well as immune-boosting carotenoids.

Eat them as a light snack, add them in a fruit salad, or make your own rendition of plum crumble by substituting the plums for plumcots.

4. The Tuscan Melon - Want to Promote Healthy Skin, Eyes and Immunity? Eat This.

There is some confusion over what fruit combination this hybrid fruit comes from.

While some say it is a hybrid melon of French and Western muskmelon descent, or a cross between the Charentais melon and a western style melon, Men's Health magazine stated, "this fruit is a combination of the sweet cantaloupe, the aromatic Charentais melon, and the juicy muskmelon."

Known for its sweet and excellent taste, the Tuscan melon is an excellent source of vitamin A (delivering 166 percent of ones Recommended Daily Allowance - according to the magazine) and vitamin C.

This perfect combination promotes a healthy immunity as well as good skin and eye health.

Slice it and eat alone, grill it or saute it, or make yummy melon kebabs. Check out the video to the right for a delicious fruit kebab recipe along with an awesome dip. However you decide to enjoy it, be sure to incorporate this delicious fruit in your diet.

5. The Uniq (or Ugli) Fruit - Speeds Healing and a Great Source of Dietary Fiber.

Appearances are definitely deceiving regarding this hybrid fruit.

A cross between a grapefruit, an orange, and a tangerine, this unique and often unappealing outward appearance disguises a mildly sweet and juicy flavor.

Rich in vitamin C and a great source of dietary fiber and folic acid, this hybrid fruit boosts and speeds healing as well as aid in proper gastrointestinal health and helps maintain bowel integrity.

Peel and eat it or add to a salad. It can be consumed just like any other citrus fruit.

Therefore, whether you opt for traditional fruit, hybrid fruit or both, there seems to be many benefits from incorporating the recommended five-a-day in your diet.

Whatever you decide, always keep in mind any food allergies you may have. In addition, speak with your physician if you are taking certain medications, ensuring that none of your diet choices pose a threat to their effectiveness.

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