Today, more than ever, people are looking for healthier lifestyles, either because they aspire to stay in physical shape or simply because they want to have a longer and healthier life. This tendency, almost universal, is materialized essentially by the practice of physical activity and the adoption of more conscious eating habits.

What many people dont know is that fruit jams and jellies can and should be part of a healthy diet, not only because it is not a good idea to drastically remove from our diet foods that give us pleasure because by doing so we risk creating emotional and humor voids that would unable us to take pleasure from food.

The result is often the abandonment of a diet that, strictly speaking, should not be discontinued or undermined due to radicalisms that are not only unnecessary but also absolutely counterproductive.

Jams: A healthy and tasty way to eat fruit

Indeed, fruit jams, besides being excellent sources of energy, are also very healthy ways to indulge the palate and consume fruit, much of which is sometimes difficult or impossible to find on the market due to its seasonality.

In truth, jams, in terms of taste and aesthetics, besides giving a very special touch to some meat, fish or dessert dishes, are very important for human health as they contain pectin which is a probiotic action soluble fiber that has many benefits, namely to the digestive system, control of blood sugar levels and reduction of bad cholesterol levels. In addition, pectin also provides a feeling of satiety, stimulates beneficial bacteria that live in the intestine and facilitates intestinal transit, as explained by nutritionist Audrey Abe.

“These fibers are important because they will be consumed by the good bacteria that live in the large intestine and, after this process, healthy substances, known as fatty acids, are produced by the intestine, helping to eliminate the harmful bacteria and preventing the absorption of carcinogenic  substances ingested through food “.

Pectin is widely used in the production of fruit jams

This miraculous fiber is widely used in the food industry, especially in the production / manufacture of foods that allow our breakfasts, snacks and desserts to be much more pleasurable experiences.

Thats because pectin forms a kind of viscous gel, when mixed with water and some acid, suitable for thicken jellies and jams that manage to preserve the nutrients and multiple benefits of pectin.

Thus, regular consumption of jams is an excellent way to seize all the benefits of pectin.

The 10 most exotic jams and their numerous health benefits

Physalis Jam

This super exotic fruit is considered one of the richest and most complete plant foods.

Scientific studies done with this fruit, revealed that it is extremely rich in iron, phosphorus, vitamins A, B, C and E and also in carotenoids, flavonoids and phytosterols. Its jam is a brilliant way to consume it all year without being conditioned by its seasonality. This delicious jam can also be used on toasts or breads as well as to adorn meat or fish dishes.

Psidium Jam

Besides its recognized antioxidant power, Psidium (also know as araçal or araçá) has a high vitamin C content, three or four times higher than orange.

In addition, Araçal is also very rich in vitamins A and B as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus and essential oils.

All of this makes araçal a very effective fruit in the treatment of flu, colds, infections, constipation, diarrhea and inflammatory ailements.

Since it is a relatively expensive and extremely seasonal fruit, consuming it in the form jam is a smart and doubly tasty and healthy choice since the araçal jam preserves all the benefits of this miraculous fruit that the Brazilian Indians very often included in their diet.

Guava Jam

Very rich in calcium, phosphorus, potassium and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and, especially vitamin C, guava is also a good source of pectin, a miraculous fiber widely used in food making.

Guava is also very rich in flavonoids and quercetin which has unique pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, antiallergic, among many others.

Experts state that the two most recommended ways to consume guava are, first fresh and secondly in the form of jam or guava paste.

Loquat Jam

Loquat is a fruit widely used by Chinese medicine to treat various health problems. Millenially grown in East Asia, this exotic fruit has won fans around the world who are looking for its more than many health benefits as well as its refreshing and peculiar flavor.

Loquat can be consumed in several ways: fresh, and can be combined with other fresh fruits in juices or fruit salads, or in jams, jellies or even in toppings for cakes or pies due to its consistency.

Tamarillo jam

Also known as tree-tomato, passion-tomato, Japanese-tomato, English-tomato among others, Tamarillo is a huhe source  of nutrients such as vitamins A, B and C, minerals such as calcium, iron , potassium, magnesium and phosphorus and is also extremely rich in antioxidants.

This magnificent fruit has a wide range of health benefits, including the prevention of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and heart disease.

Tamarillo can be consumed fresh, in salads or in the preparation of recipes such as juices, smoothies, sauces and any dish that normally includes tomatoes.

Another interesting way to consume tamarillo is in the form of jam, since it allows you to consume this miraculous fruit at any time of the year without jeopardizing all its nutritional properties.

Gooseberry Jam

Of European origin, gooseberry is a small, bright red fruit. What many people don’t know is that this exotic fruit has more vitamin C than orange. In addition, it is also very rich in fibers, magnesium, potassium, iron, carotene and phytochemicals especially anthocyanins and bioflavonoids which are substances that help reduce high blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.

Gooseberry is tonic, clear, laxative, diuretic and depurative. Because of all that, it has an excellent detoxifying capacity, cleaning the blood and balancing vitamin C deficits.

This delicate fruit thus has a multiplicity of benefits for human health, namely favoring brain activities, preventing premature aging and urinary problems.

The seasonality, price and perishability of this fantastic fruit makes it not always easy to find it available in grocery stores, reason why the option of consuming it in the form of jam is not only more practical but doubly delicious.

Blackberry Jam

Very rich in vitamins A, B and C and minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium and phosphorus, blackberrys are a precious help in preventing or fighting cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis. In addition, it increases the rate of good blood cholesterol and provides very interesting amounts of antioxidants in the body that play a decisive role in cell aging prevention.

Besides that, blackberry also helps to reduce PMS symptoms and because it is diuretic and laxative, it promotes detoxification of the body and weight loss.

Blackberry jam has been known for many years for its nutritional properties and multiple health benefits as it has few calories but is very rich in dietary fibers that promote a feeling of satiety.

Grape Jam

Grapes are a fruit with high and proven nutritional properties. It is rich in healthy carbohydrates,vitamins B and C as well as minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and iodine.

It is an excellent antioxidant and its diuretic and laxative properties help to activate the kidneys and acts against various diseases of the intestine, liver and abdomen.

Unfortunately, when in form of syrup, grapes lose a large part of their properties but the same does not happen with grape jams because they have large amounts of pectin, which, as previously mentioned, preserves the nutritional qualities of this powerful antioxidant.

Pineapple jam

Pineapple is very rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, complex B vitamins, fibers and also minerals such as calcium, manganese, potassium and iron.

In addition, pineapple also contains bromelain which scientific studies prove to be very effective in reducing inflammation, helping digestion and detoxifying the body.

Usually pineapple jams are made with very high concentrations of this fruit, what makes them very intelligent ways to enjoy the multiple benefits of this wonderful fruit highly appreciated by literally millions of people around the globe.

Strawberry Jam

Strawberries have a lot of vitamin C which contributes to the maintenance of a healthy immune system. In addition, this delicious red fruit helps to strengthen bones, teeth, fight infections and accelerate the healing process. It gives more resistance to body tissues and fights free radicals, thus preventing cell aging as it is extremely rich in antioxidants.

With a slightly bittersweet flavor, strawberry jam has few calories, making it the ideal choice for those who want to maintain a balanced and healthy diet without giving up on flavor.

Consume in a conscious and healthy way

Despite all the health benefits associated with the consumption of fruit jams, it is important that it is done in a conscious and healthy way as it is crucial not to forget that jams are caloric foods and therefore should be consumed in moderation.

People who have a more active lifestyle can consume a little more than more sedentary people since the daily energy expenditure is far greater.

For those who practice physical activity, jams are a very effective and tasty way to gain or replenish energy as they are easy for the body to assimilate and absorb, thus providing the necessary energy.

For children, the consumption of jams (with due moderation) is a very practical and interesting way of refilling the energy levels and facilitating the consumption of fruit.