The Most Underrated Fruits for Summer

I don’t know about you, but I could snack solely on fruits all summer and be happy about it. I typically stick to the traditional fruit selections like bananas, strawberries and watermelon. But this year, I’ve decided to branch out and expand my fruit selections. I highly encourage you to do the same! Here are some of the most underrated fruits for summer that I think you should try.

Mangosteen

You’ve probably enjoyed mangoes before, but what about mangosteen? This unusually-shaped fruit resembles a flower on the inside, while on the outside looks a bit like a huge grape. Mangosteen is commonly used in supplements because it is tasty and has a high antioxidant content. In addition, the flesh of the fruit is delectably sweet and quite juicy.

The problem with mangosteen is that it’s challenging to find. It’s also relatively expensive. I can get it at my local grocery store every so often, though I’ve had more luck finding it at local health food stores.

Rambutan Fruit

I see rambutan fruit in my grocery store occasionally, but I never purchased it until recently because it doesn’t look appealing. The outside looks like it is covered with some sort of spiky hair. But don’t let the unsightly exterior fool you. The inside is sweet and a little sour (similar to a grape). It’s also very tender and full of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Kumquat

You’re more likely to find kumquat in your local grocery store this summer than some other exotic fruits mentioned here. Though the name sounds silly, the fruit is quite delicious. The nutritional profile of kumquat is similar to that of oranges.

Kumquats are small and oval-shaped. Yet, they are chock-full of many nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Even the peels are edible and hold much of the nutrients and dietary fibers these cute little fruits have to offer.

Cantaloupe

Watermelon is a favorite summertime treat, and it’s easy to see why. It is sweet, juicy and so refreshing to eat in the summertime heat. But one of my new favorite summertime fruits is cantaloupe. It is also a very juicy and refreshing fruit (which is unsurprising, considering it’s almost 90% water!) They also have a mild, slightly sweet taste that is deliciously appealing.

But besides their great taste, cantaloupes are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties. They contain choline and other anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that can help you feel your best all summer long. The nutrients in cantaloupes can also boost eye health and may decrease asthma symptoms.

Jackfruit

Have you ever seen those huge, spiky greenish-yellow fruits at the store and wondered how in the world you could even get at the fruit inside? Well, guess what? I decided to try jackfruit this year, and I was fairly impressed. This fruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in existence. Produced in Bangladesh, this fruit is bursting with immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamin A, lutein, beta-carotene and zeaxanthin.

If you’re up to the task of cutting through one of these huge fruits, your reward will be a huge chunk of fruit that will last you quite a while. When it’s ripe, jackfruit tastes a little like a banana mixed with pineapple. But don’t let it get too ripe, or it smells terrible.

Many people put jackfruit in curries and other similar dishes because it tends to take on the flavor of whatever it is added to. It’s a fairly mild fruit that maintains its texture well when cooked.

Try a New Fruit This Summer!

There you have it—some of the most underrated fruits to enjoy this summer. So pick up one or two the next time you see them at the grocery store and benefit from the many nutrients these delicious fruits can provide.

5 Ingredients for Healthy, Glowing Skin This Summer

Summertime is finally here, and while you may welcome the warmth and sunshine with open arms, there are a few things you could likely do away with, such as breakouts, dull skin, a sweaty shine, clogged pores and more. Yes, with summer comes the intense heat and, depending on where you live, oppressing humidity, neither of which is excellent for your complexion. The good news is that you can combat the potentially adverse effects of environmental stressors simply by changing up your skincare ingredients. So which ingredients should you be using? Check out experts’ top picks for healthy, glowing skin all summer.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide — more commonly known as vitamin B3 — is the powerhouse of skincare ingredients. A key ingredient in almost all SPF products, niacinamide prevents damage caused by UV rays and boosts the skin’s natural barrier function. Considering preventing UV damage should be a primary goal for skin care this summer, B3 is one ingredient you want to add to your repertoire — that is, if your products don’t contain it already.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful ingredient for combatting collagen damage and hyperpigmentation caused by prolonged sun exposure. It does this by using its antioxidants to inhibit the production of melanin and stimulate collagen production at the same time. With vitamin C in your arsenal, you can keep your skin wrinkle and fine-line-free not just through the season but also for years to come.

Salicylic Acid

Humidity wreaks havoc on the skin in several ways throughout the summer, one of which is by causing intense oil buildup beneath the surface. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble, meaning it can cut through the oils on your skin and exfoliate deep within the pores to remove any blockages. If your skin becomes shiny with oil beginning in late May to early June, and if it is prone to acne breakouts because of it, add this acid to the list of ingredients with which to pamper your complexion this summer.

Hyaluronic Acid

A combination of constant air conditioning and intense heat can quickly dry out the skin, leaving your complexion looking dull at best and downright parched at worst. To keep your skin from feeling (and looking) like a sheet of sandpaper, add hyaluronic acid to your daily skincare regime. This ingredient not only boosts hydration beneath the skin’s surface but also, it helps the skin retain its moisture. Not only that, but hyaluronic acid has been known to make the skin appear plumper because of its water retention abilities.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Though not an ingredient in and of itself, alpha hydroxy acids are a class of ingredients that work wonders on the skin, especially during the summer months. Acids in this class include glycolic acid, citric acid and lactic acid. These acids have gentle exfoliating properties, which help to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface without damaging the newly formed cells beneath. This careful balance helps to prevent the over-drying of the skin during what should be maintenance and healing processes.

Achieving and maintaining healthy skin throughout the summer months is a tough feat. However, with these five ingredients in your arsenal, you can accomplish what so many others before you deemed “impossible” — a beautiful, even and glowing complexion all summer long.