Hybrid fruits - where are they from and are they healthy?

November 10, 6:43 PMPhiladelphia Triathlon ExaminerJohn M. Forberger

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Plumcot

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Just when you thought you had seen it all, now comes hybrid fruits into our diets. Have you had your Frankenfruit today?

Plumcots, minneola tangeloas, and uniq fruits are all man-made fruits available for purchase these days. These fruits are products of crossbreeding and not genetically altered as many assume. They certainly look funny and their names are even funnier, but the health benefits are no laughing matter.

"The best hybrids combine the qualities of two or even three fruits," says Jim White, R.D., a spokeman for the American Dietetic Association. He continued, "You're eating a wider vaarity of nutrients."

For example, the new tuscan melon promotes eye and skin health packing 5,000 IU of Vitamin A in just one serving. For those who don't know, that is plenty of A. Tough to beat right?

Let's describe what they are and their individual health benefits.

Plumcots - Plum/apricot mash-up which is available for purchase May-October. Stuffed with those trendy antioxidants and claims say it fights aging. Where's the proof is what I say.

Minneola Tangelo - Pomelo-mandarin orange mixed baby fruit. It smells like an orange, but doesn't taste like one. Season is now through March. Reports say the tangelo contains flavanones (antioxidants some say lowers risks of various cancers).

Uniq Fruit - The most popular new hybrid fruit which is actually a tangerine-grapefruit combination and a bit larger than a grapefruit. It stems from Jamiaca and its' season is now through July. Contains 93 perfect of your RDA of Vitamin C, so it helps heal cuts.

The world apparently got ultra bored with those old skool lame bananas and prickly pineapples. Onto the scene comes hybrid fruits, wearing new skin and brightly colored insides.