Stone fruit season begins in the US: What are the health benefits?

Summertime is here and so is the hoard of fresh and juicy fruits that are not only delicious in taste but bring in a lot of health for the body. Stone fruits are the season's seasonal produce that will now be available in the markets. These naturally sweet treats are worth being included in your diet for more reasons than just their taste and season.

What are stone fruits and do they have any health benefits, let's find out below.

What are stone fruits?

According to the University of Florida's Horticultural Sciences Department, stone fruits are fruits with edible flesh on the outside and a stone often called a pit, that protects a seed on the inside.

These fruits which are also called drupes include peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums and apricots. According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the demand for these fruits has been on the rise globally and in the U.S.

Do stone fruits have any health benefits?

Various types of stone fruits offer numerous health benefits.

According to health dietitian and nutritionist Valerie Agyeman, peaches and nectarines are a great source of Vitamin C and fiber. Regular consumption of peaches has also been linked to improved heart health, digestion, weight loss, immunity and protection against diseases including heart diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer's and some types of cancer.

Additionally, a study related the consumption of these fruits with lower prevalence of diabetes, overweight or general obesity, lower risk of estrogen receptor-negative tumours and cardiovascular protection.

If you are looking to improve your gut health then plums and apricots should have a more regular part in your diet. "Their fiber content can help keep things moving along in the digestive tract," said Agyeman to USA TODAY. While a cup of plums has 2.1gm of fiber, a cup of apricots has 2.5gm of the nutrient.

Another common stone fruit is the cherry which has already seen its days of fame among people with the tart cherry juice trend advocated for good sleep. The fruit itself is also enough with its content of natural melatonin.

Along with eating them alone, you could make them a part of some interesting breakfast recipes by pouring in some Greek yogurt, garnishing some cottage cheese over them, or adding them to oats, salads and baked treats.