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In many parts of the country, snow and ice still have a deathgrip on the local climate. In my neck of the woods, we still have massive piles of ice and snow on every street corner and at the end of every driveway. So it’s only natural that many of us are looking for a way to bust through the winter blues.
One thing that often works is to enjoy more tropical fruits, such as mangoes, bananas, coconuts, or papayas. These fruits are usually available all winter long, and are like an early preview of summer’s warmth. But beyond these warm feelings, many tropical fruits have far more powerful abilities.
Did you know that one tropical fruit can be used as a substitute for IV fluid in an emergency? Or that another tropical treat has been shown in studies to kill cancer cells? Aside from their health benefits, there are plenty of other reasons to love the following tropical fruits…and some of these benefits will definitely surprise you.
1. Coconuts
You might think of coconut as the sweet topping on German chocolate cake, but this fruit has plenty of health benefits as well. Coconut water has a ton of health benefits. It’s a sterile source of clean water, useful for survival hydration. On top of this, coconut water has the same level of electrolytic balance human blood. In the Pacific Theatre during World War II, coconut water was frequently used in the field as an emergency plasma transfusion for wounded combatants.
Coconut water makes a better sports drink than commercial products, as it is lower in salts and sugars and higher in potassium. And, of course, the flesh and oil of the coconut is also edible and good for you!
2. Mangosteen
The mangosteen is a small fruit with white flesh, popular throughout Asia. One group of scientists has proposed that alpha-mangostin, an antioxidant found only in mangosteen, can cause cell death in leukemia cells, effectively treating the disease. While more research needs to be done, mangosteen is also said to have powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties.
3. Avocado
You might think of it as a vegetable, but this is actually a fruit. And not just any fruit, but a fruit that has been shown to lower cholesterol. They are also rich in folic acid, which can prevent some kinds of common birth defects. Even more interesting is that avocados are the ultimate life hack fruit: when you eat an avocado with other vegetables, you absorb more nutrients from the meal than you would have from eating the vegetables alone. Top your salad with a few slices of avocado, and you’ll be increasing your intake of vitamins and minerals from the meal.
4. Mango
A single mango will contain half of your recommended daily allowance of both Vitamin A and Vitamin C, as well as some B-Vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, beta-carotene, and…well, maybe it would have been quicker for me to list the few nutrients that this little fruit DOESN’T contain…
I picked up an interesting tip about quickly ripening mangoes from the book “Urawaza”, which I reviewed here recently. If you pick up a mango at the supermarket that is still hard, soak it in simmering water for just 10 minutes to speed up the ripening process. The sooner you can eat one, the sooner you can start to enjoy its beneficial qualities.
5. Longan
Longan berries, native to China, have long been said by Asian herbalists to have relaxing properties, making them the perfect snack to enjoy to lower your stress levels. It is also said to have anti-cancer, antioxidant, and liver-protective properties. The longan contains high levels of iron, potassium, and large amounts of vitamins A and C. Finding them in a form other than fresh at your local market may be tough, but dried and canned longan are also available.
In general, eating more fruits is good for your health. Overall, tropical fruits have been known to reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. On top of these benefits, a diet rich in tropical fruits ensures that you will have improved digestion and GI function. Best of all, these fruits can neutralize free radicals, protecting you from asthma, joint pain, and the above-mentioned heart and cancer risks.
You are what you eat. If you want to be smart, eat smart, and reach for these tropical fruits the next time you are craving a snack.
参考译文：
在我国的大部分地带，冰雪依旧是本土气候的大敌。在我居住的地区，街头巷尾还残留着成堆的冰雪。对我们来说，找寻一个可以打破冬季阴郁情形的方法是在再自然不过了。
有一个十分有效地办法，那就是多吃热带水果，比如芒果，香蕉，椰子和木瓜。这些水果在冬季也能买得到，就像是提前感受了夏天的温暖。除了这些温暖的感觉，很多热带水果有着更强大的养生作用。
你知不知道在急救的时候一个热带水果可以代替输液的功效？你知不知道有研究表明有热带水果有杀死癌细胞的作用？除了他们的健康疗效，爱上以下这些热带水果的原因数不胜数，有些益处甚至是你想都想不到的。
1.椰子
当说到椰子的时候，你想到的可能是德国巧克力蛋糕上的甜蜜装饰，但是这种水果对人的身体同样有着众多的益处。喝椰汁的好处极多，这是一种无菌的净水，适合做维持人体生存的水合物。另外，椰汁中的电解质与人体血液中的电解质可以保持平衡。二战时期的太平洋战场上，椰汁替代急救血浆广泛用于伤员之中。椰汁比起一些商业产品来说是很好的运动饮料，它少盐低糖还富含钾元素。椰肉和椰子油同样可食并且也有益健康。
2.山竹
山竹是一种果肉为白色的小型水果，在亚洲地区很是流行。有科学家研究发现，只存在于山竹的一种抗氧化剂，α-山竹黄酮，能够杀死白血病细胞并有效治疗这种疾病。当然，这一发现还需要更多的研究证明。据称，山竹还具有强大的消毒杀菌功效。
3.鳄梨
你可能认为鳄梨是一种蔬菜，其实它是一种水果，而且还是一种有降低胆固醇作用的水果。鳄梨富含叶酸（维生素B）,这一成分能减少某些先天缺陷的出现几率。更有趣的是，鳄梨还是水果中的“终极健康黑客”——比起单独食用蔬菜，当你将鳄梨与蔬菜同食时，你会从中汲取更多的营养物质。记得在沙拉中加些鳄梨条，这会大大增加你的维生素和矿物质摄入量的。
4.芒果
一个简简单单的芒果就含有你一天所需的一半的维生素A、C，还有B族维生素，Ω-3脂肪酸，多酚，β-胡萝卜素等等，对我来说，列出芒果不含的营养元素可能会比较简单吧。
最近我在《Urawaza》（主要内容是生活诀窍）上找到一个有趣的关于快速催熟芒果的小贴士：当你从超市买回的芒果还有点硬的时候，你只要把它放在温水里浸泡十分钟就能加速它的成熟进程。快点开始吃芒果吧，吃的越早，你就能越快开始享受芒果带来的乐趣和健康了。
5.龙眼
原产于中国的龙眼，很久之前就被亚洲的药剂师们认为具有放松身心的作用，这是一种具有减压效果的绝佳小吃。另外，龙眼还有抗癌、抗氧化和护肝的疗效。龙眼富含铁、钾以及维生素A、C。在本地市场上找到新鲜龙眼有点困难，但是风干龙眼和罐装龙眼也是不错的选择。
一般来说，多吃水果是有益健康的。总的来说，热带水果被认为能降低癌症和心脏病的发病率，而且，包含热带水果的饮食能使你具有良好的消化和胃肠功能。最大的益处是，热带水果能中和人体内的自由基，保护你免受哮喘，关节痛和上面提到的各种病症的困扰。
人如其食。如果你想当个聪明人，那就吃得明智一些吧，下次想吃零食的时候，选择这些热带水果吧！
