I’ve decided that Mother Nature must have a serious sweet tooth.  That’s my only explanation for the ridiculous amount of sweet, luscious fruits in season in July.  If you’re a seasonal veggie lover, I’m sorry to say this month may not be for you (perhaps you can re-live the months of April, May or June).  However, if on the other hand you are a fruit-lover, well then please read on as not a single vegetable has made my list this month, just sweet, beautiful fruit!

As a naturopathic doctor, I’m always thinking about food as medicine.  Here’s my sample guide to what’s in season this month and how each fruit and berry supports the body.

Apricots – A source of vitamin C, beta-carotene and fiber, these sometimes tart little fruits are a nicely packaged dose of antioxidant protection.  To get the most health promoting bang for the buck with apricots, choose fully ripened fruit, when anti-oxidant levels are at their highest.

Figs – Perhaps you’ve been told to eat prunes for fiber?  Well, figs are another, and if I may say so, more beautiful option.  Although they can be eaten year-round in a dried form, a freshly sliced fig makes a beautiful and unique addition to any seasonal fruit or green salad.  If you’re willing to experiment, try making a tea with the leaves of the fig plant.  A study conducted on diabetic subjects found improvement in glycemic (blood sugar) levels by drinking one cup of fig leaf tea a day.

Currants – A berry that has fallen off the map in recent years, this little fruit brings a lot to your bowl of morning oatmeal or smoothie.  With a high level of protein as compared to other berries, currants also have all the vitamins and minerals you’d hope to find – vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.  And don’t forget the added bonus that comes with that beautiful dark purple color; anthocyanins.  This family of compounds provides anti-oxidant protection and has been researched for a variety of benefits from cardio-vascular support to anti-cancer protection.

Peaches – I simply cannot get enough peaches at the moment!  The look and taste of this fruit is summer personified and the fact that peaches not only contain a healthy amount of traditional antioxidants and fiber but some of the more newly discovered anti-oxidant compounds makes eating them even more rewarding.  Compounds (anthocyanins, clorogenic acids, quercetin derivatives, and catechins) found in both the skin and flesh of this fruit have a range of benefits, one of which may be to promote a healthy insulin and inflammatory response in addition to providing cardio-vascular protection.

Watermelon – If you’re heard of the health benefits of lycopene from tomatoes, then you may be interested to know that watermelon is another top source for this compound which has been researched most famously for its ability to support the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.  Another interesting note about watermelon is that contrary to what you might expect, the densest concentration of nutrients, including lycopene, are found at the outer edges of this fruit, next to and including the white rind.

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