Think readers know what’s in their fruit bowl? Most people grab an apple or a banana without a second thought.

But here’s what the grocery stores don’t tell them – some fruits can literally explode. Others float like tiny life rafts, and a few can actually trick taste buds into thinking lemons taste sweet.

That innocent-looking pineapple? It’s technically eating them back while they eat it. Those strawberries aren’t even berries, but bananas are. And don’t get started on what happens when people mix certain fruits with their medication.

This collection features the weirdest, most surprising fun facts about fruit that’ll make readers’ next trip to the produce section feel like a science experiment.

Juicy Secrets and Surprising Fun Facts About Fruits

1. Bananas Are Radioactive – Due to their potassium content, bananas are naturally radioactive, but harmless.

2. Watermelon Is a Berry – Botanically, watermelons are considered berries, despite their size.

3. Strawberries Aren’t True Berries – True berries have seeds inside, not outside like strawberries.

4. Kiwis Were Once Chinese Gooseberries – Before being renamed in the 1950s, kiwis were called Chinese gooseberries.

5. Pomegranates Hold Up to 1,400 Seeds – Pomegranates are packed with seeds, making them a symbol of abundance.

6. Jackfruit Is the Largest Tree-Born Fruit – Jackfruit can weigh over 120 pounds and grow up to 31 inches long.

7. Apples are 25% Air – Apples float in water because about a quarter of their volume is air.

8. Bananas Are Herbs, Not Trees – Banana plants are large herbs, not trees.

9. Pineapples Are a Symbol of Hospitality – Historically, pineapples were displayed to show hospitality in colonial America.

10. Tomatoes Are Fruits – Though used as vegetables, tomatoes are botanically fruits due to their seeds.

11. Watermelon Was Once a Water Source – Watermelon’s high water content made it a natural hydration source in dry regions.

12. Mangoes Are Ancient – Mangoes were cultivated over 4,000 years ago in Southeast Asia.

13. Coconut Water Can Be Used for IVs – Coconut water has the same electrolytes as human blood plasma, and is used in emergencies.

14. Cranberries Bounce – Cranberries have air pockets inside, making them bounce like rubber balls.

15. Durian Smells Bad but Tastes Great – Known for its strong odor, durian is loved for its sweet, custard-like taste.

16. Oranges Aren’t Always Orange – Some oranges ripen green or yellow in tropical climates.

17. Bananas Are Rich in Vitamin B6 – Bananas are packed with vitamin B6, which is great for brain function.

18. Avocados Are Berries – Despite being savory, avocados are botanically berries with a single seed.

19. Apples Clean Your Teeth – Apples help clean teeth by stimulating saliva production.

20. Grapes Turn Into Raisins in a Day – Grapes dry quickly in the sun to become raisins.

21. Figs Are Ancient – Figs were one of the first fruits cultivated over 11,000 years ago.

22. Pears Are the Oldest Cultivated Fruit – Pears have been cultivated for over 3,000 years, making them one of the oldest fruits.

Why Fruits Are Nature’s Secret to Better Health

Fruits are nature’s healthy treats that taste sweet and give your body what it needs. Unlike candy, fruits help you grow strong while satisfying your sweet tooth. Fruits have natural sugars that give you energy to run, play, and think better.

Bananas give quick energy for sports, and apples help you stay alert at school.

Fruits have vitamins that keep you healthy. Oranges have vitamin C to fight colds, and bananas have potassium for strong muscles. Fruits also have fiber for your stomach.

Eating fruits makes your skin look nice and helps your eyes and heart stay healthy. Different-colored fruits help different parts of your body work their best.

• Red fruits like strawberries help your heart.
• Orange fruits like peaches help your eyes.
• Yellow fruits like bananas give energy.
• Green fruits like apples clean your body.
• Purple fruits like blueberries help your brain.

Add fruits to breakfast cereal. Pack an apple for school snacks. Make fruit smoothies. Choose fresh fruit juice over soda.

Keep fruits where you can see them so you remember to eat them.

The Bottom Line

Fruits will never look the same in the grocery store again, will they?

Now readers know they’re not just buying snacks – they’re getting explosive cherries, floating apples, and berries that can change their taste buds completely.

Here’s what readers should do next: try one new fruit this week and research its weird backstory. Share these fun facts about fruit at dinner and watch everyone’s reaction. Challenge friends to guess which fruit fact sounds too crazy to be true.