What's The Difference Between Fruits And Vegetables? - Healthline

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Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, MS, RD — Written by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on December 4, 2025

Fruits mistaken for vegetables
Sweet vegetables
Nutrition
Health benefits
Takeaway

Most people know that fruits and vegetables are good for you, but in terms of structure, taste, and nutrition, there are many distinctions between them.

Fruits and vegetables are classified from both a botanical and culinary standpoint. Botanically, fruits and vegetables are classified depending on which part of the plant they come from.

A fruit develops from the flower of a plant, while vegetables develop from the other parts of the plant. Fruits contain seeds, while vegetables have roots, stems, and leaves.

From a culinary perspective, fruits and vegetables are classified according to taste.

Fruits generally have a sweet or tart flavor and can be used in desserts, snacks, or juices. Vegetables have a milder or savory taste and are usually served as a side dish or main course.

This article reviews the primary differences between fruits and vegetables, including how they compare nutritionally.

Fruits that are often mistaken for vegetables

You probably have a pretty good concept of which foods are considered fruits and which are considered vegetables, at least in culinary terms.

However, there are several plants that are technically fruits, though they’re often classified as vegetables because of their taste.

Tomatoes are the most well-known and controversial example of this.

In 1893, the U.S. Supreme Court actually ruled that tomatoes should be classified as vegetables rather than fruits under US customs regulations.

Botanically speaking, tomatoes fit the definition of a fruit. However, they’re still commonly referred to as vegetables because of their flavor profile.

Examples of fruits that are often mistaken for vegetables

Some other common examples of fruits that are mistaken for vegetables include:

winter squash
avocados
cucumbers
peppers
eggplants
olives
pumpkins
pea pods
zucchini

Vegetables that have a sweeter flavor

Though many fruits are mistaken for vegetables, very few vegetables are mistaken for fruits.

However, certain types of vegetables have a naturally sweeter flavor than other vegetables, which are typically on the savory side. These sweeter vegetables are often used in desserts, pies, and baked goods.

Sweet potatoes, for example, are often made into a pie, a dessert that is a traditional part of Thanksgiving in the United States. Despite their sweet flavor, sweet potatoes are actually a type of root vegetable, not a fruit.

Similarly, candied yams are a baked dish containing yams, another type of edible tuber.

Other vegetables with a naturally sweeter flavor include:

beets
carrots
rutabagas
turnips
corn

How do fruits and vegetables compare nutritionally?

Fruits and vegetables have a lot of similarities in terms of nutrition.

Both are high in fiber as well as:

vitamins
minerals
antioxidants
plant compounds.

Fruits and vegetables are also naturally low in sodium and fat.

Sugar, calorie, fiber, and water comparison

As you might expect given their sweet taste, fruits tend to have a higher amount of natural sugar and calories compared to most varieties of vegetables.

One cup of raw, unpeeled apple slices (109 grams), for example, contains 56.7 calories and 11.3 grams of sugar, while one cup of broccoli has just 35.1 calories and 1.26 grams of sugar.

Compared to vegetables, some types of fruits may also contain more fiber per serving. The fiber content per 100 grams for fruit ranges from 2 to 15 grams, while leafy vegetables supply 1.2 to 4 grams of fiber for the same weight.

The water content is also highly variable. Leafy vegetables may be composed of 84 to 95% water, while fruits contain slightly less, with between 61 to 89%.

Nutrition highlights

There are some nutrient differences among different categories of fruits and vegetables, as well. Here are a few nutrition highlights:

Tubers: Rich in fiber, tubers are also a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, and B vitamins.
Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate, and antioxidants that could offer protection against degenerative disease.
Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolates, a group of compounds that has been linked to the prevention of cancer.
Berries: Berries are full of anthocyanins, anti-inflammatory compounds that have been studied for their potential to reduce oxidative stress and promote heart health.
Leafy greens: A good source of carotenoids like lutein, leafy greens are linked with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

Including a good mix of fruits and vegetables in your diet can ensure you’re getting a diverse range of nutrients.

Health benefits of fruits and vegetables

There is a good amount of research documenting the many benefits of fruit and vegetable intake on health.

Reduced risk of heart disease

Several studies have found that eating more fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced markers of heart disease.

A 2017 study found that eating fruits and vegetables was associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality.

May help manage weight

Because fruits and vegetables are low in calories but high in fiber, they could even help control weight.

A 2015 study that followed 133,000 people over a 24-year span, found that when people increased their intake of fruits and non-starchy vegetables, their weight tended to decrease.

Decreased risk of cancer

Increasing your fiber intake through fruits and vegetables may even reduce your risk of cancer. Multiple studies have found that higher fruit and vegetable consumption is linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.

May benefit blood sugar

Finally, fruit and vegetable intake may benefit your blood sugar. The fiber from these foods slows the absorption of sugar, which can keep blood sugar levels steady.

A 2021 review notes that increasing fruit intake may help protect against type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

The authors note that fruit juice may not have the same effects. Fruit juice provides a concentrated dose of the vitamins, minerals, and sugars found in fruit but without the fiber and health benefits that come with it.

How much fruit and vegetables should you eat per day?

The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume:

2 cups of fruit per day. The following amounts are considered equivalent to one cup of fruit:
- one medium-size fruit (such as an apple, orange, or pear)
- 1/2 cup of dried fruit
- 1/2 cup of fruit juice (with no added sugar)
2 1/2 cups of vegetables per day. The following amounts are considered equivalent to one cup of vegetables:
- 2 cups raw leafy vegetables
- 1 cup fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables (look for low sodium in cans)
- 1 cup of vegetable juice (with no added sugar)

The takeaway

Botanically, there is a distinct difference between fruits and vegetables.

However, they both come with an impressive set of nutrients and health benefits, from decreasing your risk of chronic disease to slimming your waistline.

Dietary guidelines recommend getting at least 2 cups of fruit and 2 1/2 cups of vegetables daily.

In the end, the classification of fruits and vegetables isn’t as important as eating a variety of both to take advantage of the diverse nutrients they offer.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Borgas P, et al. (2021). Phytochemically rich dietary components and the risk of colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8223713/
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Dietary guidelines for America. (2025). https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/Dietary_Guidelines_for_Americans_2020-2025.pdf
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Koolaji N, et al. (2020). Citrus peel flavonoids as potential cancer prevention agents. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7199889/
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Ojagbemi A, et al. (2021). Dietary intakes of green leafy vegetables and incidence of cardiovascular diseases. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8756059/
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Evidence Based

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses (1, 2, 3) are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

Medically reviewed by Amy Richter, MS, RD — Written by Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD — Updated on December 4, 2025

What's The Difference Between Fruits And Vegetables? - Healthline

Fruits that are often mistaken for vegetables

Examples of fruits that are often mistaken for vegetables

Vegetables that have a sweeter flavor

How do fruits and vegetables compare nutritionally?

Sugar, calorie, fiber, and water comparison

Nutrition highlights

Health benefits of fruits and vegetables

Reduced risk of heart disease

May help manage weight

Decreased risk of cancer

May benefit blood sugar

How much fruit and vegetables should you eat per day?

The takeaway

How we reviewed this article:

Evidence Based

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