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Xiao Ming recently discovered that whenever he walked into the fruit section of the supermarket, he was always attracted by the fruits there.
Not only is the color bright, but every bite is full of sweetness, and you can't help but eat it again and again. He was surprised to find that every variety, whether it was apples, oranges or grapes, was vying to be the "king of sweets". In the circle of friends, some people also raised such a question: "Why is the fruit getting sweeter and sweeter now?" Xiao Ming was curious about this, and he decided to find out the reason behind it.
In fact, the increase in the sweetness of fruits is not an accidental phenomenon, but the result of the dual effects of scientific and technological progress and market demand. To explain this phenomenon, we need to start with the source of the sweetness of the fruit. The sweetness of the fruit mainly comes from the sugars in it, especially fructose and glucose. The content of these sugars is related to the ripeness of the fruit, the planting method, the breeding of varieties, and even the harvesting and storage conditions.
The first is the selection of fruit varieties. Through modern fruit tree breeding techniques, many fruit varieties with high sugar content have been cultivated. Through selective hybridization and gene editing, fruit breeders continue to optimize the quality of the fruit to make it more in line with people's preference for sweetness.
For example, modern apple breeding not only takes into account the size and color of the fruit, but also pays more attention to the sugar-acid ratio, and has cultivated varieties with high sweetness such as "Honey" and "Tianbao".
Let's look at the planting method. With the development of precision agriculture and facility agriculture, growers can more precisely control the temperature, humidity, light, and soil nutrient composition of the fruit growing environment, thereby promoting the accumulation of sugar. In some fruit-growing areas, farmers will also use technical means such as defoliation and topping to increase the irradiated area of the fruit and improve the synthesis efficiency of sugar.
The harvesting and storage conditions of the fruit should not be overlooked. With the popularization of cold chain logistics, the time from the field to the table of fruits has been greatly shortened, reducing the loss of sugar in the process of storage and transportation. In addition, by controlling ripeness harvesting and using ethylene to promote ripening, the fruit can reach the consumer with a higher sweetness.
In addition to technical factors, consumers' taste preferences also subtly affect the sweetness of fruits. The principles of the market economy tell us that consumer demand tends to guide production. The preference for sweetness among most consumers has led producers to produce fruit varieties that are high in sugar to cater to the market's mass tastes.
However, the increasing sweetness of fruits has also attracted the attention of some nutritionists. While sweet-flavored fruits are more popular, high sugar intake may also be associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.
Therefore, while we enjoy the pure sweetness of fruits, we should not neglect the moderate control of sugar intake. Nutritional balance is an important principle in the diet, and although fruits are good, they should also be in moderation.
In addition, excessive pursuit of sweetness may sacrifice other important nutrients and flavor components in the fruit, such as polyphenols, fiber, and vitamins. These ingredients play an indispensable role in disease prevention and regulating the body's functions.
A variety that focuses only on sweetness may lead to a relative reduction in these healthy ingredients. Therefore, flavor and nutrition should be taken into account in variety improvement and fruit selection, so as to maintain the comprehensive quality of fruits.
Environmental sustainability also needs to be taken into account in the fruit cultivation and selection process. In order for fruit trees to produce sweeter fruits, the use of fertilizers and water resources may increase, which to some extent exacerbates the consumption of natural resources and the pressure on the environment. Therefore, the pursuit of sweetness also requires the development and adoption of more environmentally friendly planting and management methods.
In the face of "sweeter and sweeter" fruits, how should consumers make choices? On the one hand, it is possible to know the sugar content of the fruit by reading the label information.
While most fruits don't have detailed nutrition facts like processed foods, some brands and producers have started to provide this type of information. On the other hand, consumers can balance their sugar intake in their diet by diversifying their fruit choices. In the meantime, try some varieties that are moderately sweet and sour or even slightly sour to discover the fun of different flavors.
For people with specific health needs, such as diabetics, it is especially important to choose low-sugar fruits or eat fruits in moderation under the guidance of a doctor. At the same time, everyone should be aware that although fruit is a healthy food, it is not "sweeter is better".
The scientific community continues to develop research on the sweetness of fruits. Researchers are exploring ways to enhance the fruit's sweetness perception without adding sugar, for example by enhancing the fruit's aroma components to enhance the overall flavor experience.
In the future, we may see more "healthy sweet" fruit varieties that not only meet people's pursuit of sweetness, but also take care of nutritional and health needs. Behind this, we should not only think about how to improve the sweetness of fruits with technology, but also how to maintain a balanced nutrition and maintain a healthy lifestyle while enjoying the sweetness given by nature.
Driven by both market and technology, how to develop fruit varieties in the future is not only a common concern for producers and consumers, but also a health issue of concern to the whole society.
We look forward to not losing the direction of healthy eating in this journey of pursuing sweetness, so that the sweetness of fruits is not only a taste satisfaction, but also the nectar of a healthy life.
What do you think about fruits? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!