Healthiest Summer Foods

It’s summer, which means fresh produce is abundant! No matter what time of year it is, your teeth, gums, and tissues all depend upon a mix of vitamins and minerals to help maintain your oral health. In fact, nutrients in fruits and veggies (like dietary fiber, antioxidants and potassium) have all been associated with a reduced risk for heart disease and cancers, including oral cancer.

Here are a few of our favorite healthy summer snacks:

• Apples – Put down the whitening strips, because apples can help naturally whiten your teeth! Biting and chewing an apple can help stimulate saliva production in your mouth, which washes away the bacteria and harmful acids that can accumulate on your teeth and cause decay. Eating an apple a day is also very heart healthy and has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and cardiovascular disease.
• Tomatoes – Tomatoes are surprising in that they’re actually a fruit (it’s true!) and they double as amazing cancer warriors! Tomatoes are also high in lycopene, which can protect your skin from sunburns, and in crucial antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin A, which work to prevent DNA damage.
• Strawberries – This amazing fruit is considered a superfood! Strawberries are rich in nutrients and packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, which can aid in cancer prevention. Strawberries also promote eye health, help ward off bad cholesterol and regulate your blood pressure.
• Watermelon – True to their name, watermelons have very high water content (they’re 92% water, in fact), which dilutes the affects of the natural sugars they contain and stimulates the production of saliva. Eating foods full of water can help you feel fuller on fewer calories. Finally, in addition to helping you stay hydrating during summer months, watermelon also contains skin-protecting lycopene. The most amazing summer fruit!