Abundant Local Fruits, Why Do Indonesian People Still Rarely Consume Them?

Illustration of a man selling oranges (Photo: Freepik/odua)

JAKARTA - Indonesia indeed has an abundance of tropical fruit wealth, the habit of the community in consuming fruit every day is still far from ideal.

This condition is a concern because low fruit consumption is closely related to the increased risk of various non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, and stroke.

Ironically, Indonesia is one of the countries that has a variety of local fruits with year-round production. Bananas, papayas, mangoes, oranges, watermelons, guava, pineapples, and jackfruit can be found easily in various areas.

Abundant availability should be an advantage for the community to meet daily nutritional needs. However, the reality is that fruit is still not part of the routine diet of most Indonesians.

This phenomenon shows that the problem of fruit consumption is no longer related to the availability of food ingredients. Habits, lifestyles, knowledge, and food preferences also affect low fruit consumption.

In the midst of increasing chronic disease rates, changing eating behaviors is one of the challenges that needs attention.

Quoted from the official website of Airlangga University, the Indonesian Health Survey Data (SKI) 2023 shows that the consumption of fruits and vegetables by the Indonesian people is still very low. As many as 96.7 percent of people aged five years and over have not met the recommendation for daily fruit and vegetable consumption.

The standards used refer to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), namely consuming at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day for seven days in a week. This means that only about 3.3 percent of Indonesian people have met the recommendations.

The same survey also showed that most people only consume one to two servings of fruits and vegetables every day. In fact, there is still a group of people who do not consume any fruit or vegetables every day in a week.

Low fruit consumption is influenced by various factors. Some people still consider fruit as a complementary food, not a daily need.

In addition, modern lifestyles make processed foods and drinks high in sugar more often chosen because they are considered more practical. In some communities, limited access and purchasing power are also obstacles to obtaining fresh fruit regularly.

If this condition continues, efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases will become increasingly difficult. In fact, getting used to fruit consumption is one of the simple steps that everyone can take to maintain health in the long term.

Fruits contain various nutrients needed by the body, ranging from vitamins, minerals, water, to fiber. In addition, fruits are also rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and carotenoids that have antioxidant properties.

These various compounds serve to help protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals that can trigger chronic inflammation and various degenerative diseases.

The fiber content in fruit also provides benefits that are no less important. Fiber helps smooth the digestive system, control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol levels, and provide a longer feeling of fullness.

Thus, regular consumption of fruit can help maintain body weight while reducing the risk of obesity which is one of the main factors for various chronic diseases.

The WHO places the consumption of fruits and vegetables as one of the important components of a healthy diet. The organization recommends consuming a minimum of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables every day to help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer.

Therefore, fruit should not be seen only as a dessert. Consuming fruit every day is part of a health investment whose benefits can be felt throughout life.

Indonesia is currently facing a change in disease patterns, from previously dominated by infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases. Based on the Indonesian Health Profile 2024, diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, stroke, and cancer are still the main causes of pain and death in Indonesia.

Various diseases are influenced by many factors, including unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking habits, to excess weight. Therefore, prevention is not enough to rely on health services, but also requires changes in community behavior.

In this context, fruit consumption is not the only solution. However, if it is carried out regularly in conjunction with the implementation of a balanced diet, regular exercise, not smoking, and maintaining an ideal body weight, fruit consumption can make a major contribution to reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Forming the habit of eating fruit cannot be done instantly. Behavioral changes require ongoing education, both in the family, school, and community.

Parents play an important role in introducing fruit to children from an early age. Making fruit a daily snack, introducing a variety of local fruits, and reducing the consumption of high-sugar foods are simple steps that can form healthy habits until adulthood.

In addition, fruit presentation can also be made more interesting. Colorful fruit slices, fruit salads with minimal added sugar, smoothies without added sweeteners, or fruit mixes in the breakfast menu can be alternatives so that fruit consumption feels more enjoyable.

The utilization of local fruit is also worth continuing to be encouraged. In addition to being rich in nutrients, local fruit is generally fresher, easier to obtain, and relatively affordable. Increasing the consumption of local fruit can also provide economic benefits for farmers while strengthening national food security.

The abundance of fruit production in Indonesia should be a great capital to create a healthier society. The challenge we face today is no longer about the availability of fruit, but how to build the habit of consuming it every day.

Preventing diseases does not always require large costs or complicated technology. Simple habits such as eating fruit regularly can be the first step in maintaining health and improving quality of life.

If this habit is started to be applied from an early age and is carried out consistently, the benefits are not only felt by individuals, but are also able to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases which have been a challenge for health development in Indonesia.

A piece of fruit may seem simple. However, if it becomes part of daily lifestyle, the benefits can have a major impact on public health. Therefore, increasing fruit consumption is not merely fulfilling nutritional recommendations, but a real investment to realize a healthier, more productive, and quality Indonesian generation.