Tropical Fruits: What Are They? Nutritional, Hygienic and Economic Differences

of vegetable origin available on the Italian market almost exclusively thanks to import.

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They should fall into the VI and VII fundamental groups of foods - foods rich in vitamin A or vitamin C - but, as we will see, they do not always meet the criteria of this classification.

The dietary role of tropical fruits can change significantly according to the nutritional composition. In a simplistic way, we could say that the acidic and sweet ones have the same functions as the homegrown fruits, while the fatty tropical fruits should be treated in the same way as nuts or oil seeds.

They can be very different or similar to Italian fruits, depending on the aspect to be analyzed - organoleptic and taste characteristics, nutritional properties, price and food safety. This depends on the species and origin, therefore on the environmental and climatic factors required by the plant. .

Some examples of tropical fruits normally consumed in Italy are: bananas, pineapple, coconut, papaya and mango. On the other hand, the market is constantly expanding and to date, compared to the last twenty years, the commercial offer of tropical fruits - including retail - has increased significantly.

Let's go into more detail.

soluble, in particular the fructose monosaccharide

Dietary fiber (soluble and insoluble) and other prebiotics (unavailable carbohydrates)

Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins, in particular vit C (ascorbic acid), vitamin A and provitamins A (retinol and retinol equivalents, such as carotenoids)

Minerals, especially potassium and magnesium

Phenols and tannins

Phytosterols.

Containing negligible amounts of proteins and lipids, they usually have a low or medium caloric intake.

Among tropical fruits, on the other hand, we also find very caloric products, with a prevalence of fats - moreover of the saturated type - and abundant quantities of nutrients usually not very present - such as "alpha tocopherol or vitamin E. This is the case, for example, of" avocado and coconut.

This does not mean that there are also exceptions in Italy; the most indicative example is undoubtedly that of chestnuts, much less hydrated and rich in starch, therefore more caloric. The same goes for oilseeds or dried fruit - walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, almonds, pistachios - as abundant sources of fat, therefore of calories, of fat-soluble vitamins - especially vitamin E - and of different minerals - for example selenium. and football.