### Sensei’s Fruit Facts: Slice Your Way to Better Health
Have you ever played Fruit Ninja? I have, and it’s a blast! If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go and practice your finger samurai skills by slicing through those juicy fruits on your screen. While I wouldn’t call myself a game addict, I love how this game offers more than just fun—it’s a bit addictive, but in a good way.
At the end of each game, Sensei shares a fun fact about different fruits, which got me curious to learn more. Some of these facts are fascinating and even a bit ridiculous, but they actually highlight how amazing fruits are as a source of nutrition. Here are some of my favorite facts from Sensei and what I’ve discovered about them.
**The Average Person Eats 65 Apples per Year**
If the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” were fully true, we’d be eating 365 apples a year. Apples are incredibly popular, with around 10,000 different varieties grown worldwide. People consume them in large quantities mainly because of their numerous health benefits. The skin of apples, in particular, has more fiber and antioxidants than the flesh, so you might want to think twice about peeling them.
**British Seamen Were Called Limeys Because of Lime Juice**
Why did British sailors drink so much lime juice? To prevent scurvy, a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C. Citrus juice was found to be excellent for this, and while lemons were actually more effective, limes were more accessible from British colonies in the Caribbean. That’s how British seamen got the nickname “limeys.”
**The Coconut Palm Is Known as the Tree of Life**
The coconut palm earned the nickname “Tree of Life” because almost every part of it is useful. Its trunk can be used for building houses and making furniture, its leaves can be woven into brooms, and the husk and shells can serve as fuel. The fruit itself is exceptionally beneficial for health, especially the water inside. Coconut water can flush out kidney stones, cure urinary tract infections, and in desperate situations, can even be used as a substitute for medical fluids like dextrose.
**Bananas Can Help Fight Depression by Boosting Serotonin Levels**
Believe it or not, bananas can actually make you happier. In addition to their great taste, they contain B-complex vitamins that calm the nervous system and boost levels of serotonin, the “happy hormone.” This can help lift your mood and fight off feelings of depression.
Fruits can truly improve your life in many ways. So, why not grab some and enjoy their countless benefits?