Tomatoes are fruit or vegetables? find out the difference between fruit and vegetables, let's!

Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are healthy foods that are important to consume every day. However, there are still many who are confused about what to say, for example tomatoes. Most of them call tomatoes a fruit, some say tomatoes are vegetables. Many also argue that cucumbers, chilies, and pumpkins are fruits or vegetables. Which one is true? Well, know the difference between fruit and vegetables in the following review.

Recognize the difference between fruits and vegetables

According to Pauline Ladiges, a professor at the botanical school at The University of Melbourne, Australia, told ABC, a news agency in Australia, that there is a clear difference between vegetables and fruit based on botanical science. To find out the difference, consider the following explanation.

Based on the structure

The fruit comes from a seed plant that develops after pollination. The pollination process occurs when pollen falls and sticks to the stigma. Then, fruit seeds will form in the ovaries which over time will swell and ripen into ovaries.

Fruits usually have an attractive flesh and color that attracts insects to eat them. In addition, fruit is a plant product that contains the seeds of the plant itself. So, are tomatoes included in the type of fruit or vegetable? You must have guessed that the tomato is a type of fruit, not a vegetable. Likewise with chilies, pumpkins, cucumbers, peppers, and olives.

Meanwhile, vegetables are parts that do not flower or have seeds. You can eat the leaves like spinach; eaten the stem like celery; eaten by the roots like carrots; and eaten by tubers such as potatoes.

Based on the taste

Not only from the plant structure, the grouping of fruits and vegetables is also seen from a culinary point of view. Fruit can usually be enjoyed in person and tastes sweet or sour. Fruit is usually found easily as a dessert, snack, or juice. Meanwhile, vegetables are usually processed first and served with a savory taste. Usually served as a side dish or main meal.

However, some fruits are also often mistaken for vegetables because of their taste. For example pumpkin, cucumber, eggplant, peppers, or beans. All of them belong to the fruit group based on botanical science. Vice versa, there are many vegetables that are mistaken for fruit because of their sweet taste compared to other vegetables. For example sweet potatoes, carrots, or turnips.

Based on the nutrition

Vegetables and fruit have a lot in common when it comes to nutrition. Both are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other plant compounds that are good for the body. Fruits and vegetables also have low fat and sodium levels. However, it should be noted that fruits tend to have higher amounts of natural sugars and calories than vegetables. One cup of chopped apples contains 65 calories and 13 grams of sugar, while one cup of broccoli contains 31 calories and 2 grams of sugar.

Then, compared to vegetables, fruit is superior in fiber content. The fiber content per 100 grams of fruit ranges from 2-15 grams, while leafy vegetables of the same weight contain 1.2-4 grams of fiber. However, leafy vegetables contain more about 84-95 percent water, while fruits contain 61-89 percent water.

Why know the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?

A lecturer at the School of Excercise and Nutrition Science at Queensland University of Technology and chair of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, Amanda Lee emphasizes that knowing the difference between vegetables and fruit helps you meet your daily intake of fruits and vegetables.

In one day, it is recommended that you consume 75 grams of vegetables and 150 grams of fruit. This is the optimal amount of food intake that the body needs as a whole. The amount of fruit is more because fruit produces more energy than vegetables. That's why many health experts recommend eating lots of fruit.

There have been many studies that show the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables for health, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer, controlling body weight, to maintaining blood sugar levels so as to avoid diabetes and maintaining a healthy digestive system and other body health. So, have you been eating fruits and vegetables today?