Igembe South is among the regions in Meru County blessed with fertile soils and reliable rainfall suitable for growing a wide variety of fruits.
Farmers in the area cultivate fruits both for family consumption and for sale in local markets, making fruit farming an important economic activity in the region.
Some of the common fruits grown in the region include mangoes, avocados, watermelons, bananas, pawpaws, oranges, passion fruits, watermelons and pineapples.
Most of these fruits are available depending on the season, with mangoes being among the most common fruits between February and March.
Nutritionist say fruits are important because they provide essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants which help improve overall body health and protect people from diseases.
According to Francis Nyakundi, a nutrition officer at Nyambene Level Four Hospital, families should make fruits part of their daily meals because they help strengthen body immunity and improve digestion.
He explained that different fruits contain different nutrients that help people living with various chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart diseases.
Nyakundi said pregnant women are encouraged to consume fruits such as avocados and bananas because they provide energy and important nutrients required during pregnancy.
“Bananas contain potassium which strengthens muscles and supports proper heart functioning while avocados contain healthy fats that help body growth and brain development,” he said.
He added that fruits such as pawpaws, passion fruits and watermelons are highly recommended for people living with diabetes because they are rich in vitamins and fibre that help the body fight diseases.
Pawpaw is known for improving digestion due to natural enzymes that help break down food. It is also rich in vitamin C which helps strengthen the immune system and supports faster healing of wounds.
According to the nutritionist passion fruits are among the fruits highly valued for their antioxidant properties.
“Antioxidants are substances that protect body cells from damage caused by harmful compounds known as free radicals.” He said.
The health expert said antioxidant-rich fruits help lower the risk of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Passion fruits also improve blood circulation, aid digestion and reduce inflammation in the body.
He noted that Watermelons are also considered healthy fruits because they contain a lot of water which helps keep the body hydrated and they are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that supports heart health and may help reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Mangoes, which are widely grown in Igembe, contain vitamins A and C which help strengthen immunity, improve skin health and provide natural energy to the body.
Nyakundi however cautioned that some fruits contain natural acids that may affect people suffering from ulcers and stomach irritation.
He noted that fruits such as lemons, oranges and pineapples may increase stomach irritation and heartburn in some patients because of their acidic nature.
“People suffering from ulcers should consume acidic fruits in moderate amounts and drink enough water afterwards to help protect the stomach and teeth,” he advised.
Fruit vendors in Maua market say fruit availability changes with seasons and weather conditions.
Glory Karimi, a fruit seller in the town, said avocados, bananas, oranges, pawpaws watermelons,andara are currently abundant and affordable in many markets within the area.
She however noted that fruits such as pineapples, apples and coconuts which they outsource from other regions are currently scarce and expensive due to low supply.
Health experts continued to encourage residents to embrace regular fruit consumption to improve their overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
By Kamanja Maeria and Miriam Naitore
