Celebrate National Tropical Fruit Day

Celebrate National Tropical Fruit Day by learning about tropical fruit’s nutritious benefits. Plus, enjoy the delicious recipe for a fruit smoothie included below!

Key Takeaways:

National Tropical Fruit Day is on July 18th.
Learn about how tropical fruits can boost your nutrition and enhance your summer experience.
Follow the tropical fruit smoothie recipe to enjoy delicious and nutritious tropical fruits in all their glory!

Make the tropical fruit smoothie recipe at the end of this article to celebrate National Tropical Fruit Day and refresh your summer.

Table of Contents:

July 18 Is National Tropical Fruit Day
The Nutrition and Health Benefits of Tropical Fruits
Recipe: Healthy and Delicious Tropical Fruit Smoothie
Celebrate National Tropical Fruit Day This Summer

July 18 Is National Tropical Fruit Day

It only makes sense that National Tropical Fruit Day would fall during the height of summer’s warmth.

Summer is the best time to enjoy tropical fruits, whether you blend them, eat them whole, or use them in cooling warm-weather recipes.

You might not always have tropical fruits readily available where you live but they can usually be found more in summer or packaged frozen. As National Tropical Fruit Day approaches, now is the time to expand your palate with some new choices.

Pineapple is a classic staple in the U.S. However, more exotic options like mangoes, papayas, and sapodillas deserve recognition, too.

Other tropical fruits include:

Dragonfruit
Jackfruit
Passion fruit
Guava
Lychee
Acai
Rambutan
Mangosteen
Coconut

Any of these would make great additions to your National Tropical Fruit Day celebration this summer.

The Nutrition and Health Benefits of Tropical Fruits

When you eat tropical fruits, your skin, hair, nails, and entire body thank you. They’re full of delicious and nutritious compounds that improve your overall health.

Antioxidants: Natural Anti-Aging Compounds Found in Fruit

Antioxidants help combat free radical damage in your body. They also help your body systems function properly and minimize age-related problems.

Free radical molecules can initiate inflammatory responses and damage healthy tissues and cells. This ages you prematurely, both visibly and internally.

Tropical fruits are naturally high in antioxidants, making them great for long-term health support.

To get your daily fill of antioxidants, choose tropical fruits like:

Acai berries
Passion fruit
Mangoes
Papayas
Dragon fruit
Pineapple
Coconut

These options also contain beneficial vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C and healthy acids.

Fiber: The Key to Better Health and Digestion

Plant fibers help your digestive system properly process and eliminate the foods you eat. They also minimize the blood sugar spikes that can make you hungrier after eating.

Tropical fruits are naturally high in fiber, making them a good choice for summer snacks and smoothies.

The best tropical fruits for a high-fiber diet include:

Passion fruit
Guava
Mango
Banana

These options are the highest in fiber per cup compared to other tropical fruits, but they’re just as delicious!

Hydration: Glowing Skin and Energy

Most fruits are naturally hydrating. Tropical fruits contain a high volume of water, which replenishes your body alongside the other vitamins and minerals.

Hydration is very important for glowing, radiant skin, especially in the summertime.

As you spend more time outdoors, your body needs more hydration, and fruits are just the pick-me-up for this season.

Any tropical fruit will supply your skin with nourishing hydration, vitamins, and minerals. Add some to your plate and bask in your healthy summer glow.

Prebiotics and Probiotics: A Healthy Gut Biome

Prebiotics and probiotics both contribute to a healthier digestive tract by allowing “good” gut bacteria to flourish.

Prebiotics are technically classed as a type of fiber. They don’t break down during digestion, but they provide fuel to your gut’s beneficial bacterial colonies.

Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that you consume through a healthy diet. Some foods naturally contain these microorganisms.

Tropical fruits have plenty of both prebiotics and probiotics, so if you’re looking to boost your gut health, they’re a great option.

Filling and Satisfying

Tropical fruits take up lots of space in your stomach, thanks to their high water content. This means they fill you up more easily for fewer calories than dense foods.

Since tropical fruits contain so much fiber, they help you stay full in between meals. You’re less likely to experience a blood sugar spike and then crash.

The vitamins and minerals in tropical fruits may also help regulate your appetite and reduce cravings, depending on which fruits you choose.

If you’re looking to manage your weight in a healthy, non-restrictive way, tropical fruits are wonderful additions to your diet that pack in plenty of essential nutrients.

Recipe: Healthy and Delicious Tropical Fruit Smoothie

Enjoy the taste of several nutritious tropical fruits in one summer drink this year.

Perfect for sipping while sitting by the pool or as an afternoon pick-me-up, this smoothie is creamy, thick, and incorporates all of the best tropical flavors.

Add your own favorite fruits to ramp up the flavor and customize this delicious cold creation.

Ingredients

To make this smoothie, you’ll need:

2 large bananas (cut)
1 cup of frozen mango
1 cup of frozen pineapple
½ cup of fresh papaya
¾ cup of coconut milk (sweetened or unsweetened)
¾ cup of fresh orange juice (pulp-free, no added sugar)
1 tablespoon of fresh-squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon of fresh lime zest
Optional: Stevia, monk fruit, or other zero-sugar sweetener
Optional: ½ cup of plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
Optional: Handful of granola (for topping)
Optional: 1 lime, lemon, or orange wedge (to garnish)

Preparation Instructions

Follow these steps to make your smoothie:

Add all of your desired tropical fruits to a blender
Add a bit of water if the mixture is too thick for your blender’s motor
Blend everything until the mixture is smooth and creamy but not too thin
Pour your smoothie into a fancy glass that gives you all the vibes of summer and top or garnish as you wish
Enjoy!