Fresh Fruits: Nature's Antioxidant Powerhouses

Science has found that simple plants contain antioxidants which are powerful compounds able to help ward off cancer and heart disease for example. When these compounds are found in plants they are called phytonutrients which work in conjunction with nutrients found in the human body to combat disease. To date, scientists have managed to index almost a 1,000 of these unusual compounds; with these discoveries (and more to come), scientists believe the face of healthcare is changing, hopefully forever. To date a large number of health giving benefits of these phytonutrients have been found; pomegranates for example, contain many different properties whilst blueberries have compounds which affect the aging process.

Containing less sugar than most fruits, the blueberry can also boast a number of other antioxidant properties too. The easiest way to inject concentrated amounts of these fruits is by drinking juice every day; these frits have been shown to benefit the immune system and help improve the circulation. Antioxidants contained in these fruits can also help ward off and fight disease and infections we may suffer from. Now the focus has shifted towards apples which have an effect on the probability of coronary diseases.

Now citrus fruits too are showing that they have a use with a number of beneficial phytochemicals contained in them. Joint pain like arthritis, fibromyalgia and gout are also aided by the phytonutrients found in tart cherries. Of course these fruits contain large amounts of vitamins B, C and E plus other which are already known to have beneficial effects on our health. Other types of antioxidants are found in mulberries, blackberries and blueberries, called resveratrol, Phytoalexins have anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

Some of the most common aging conditions including Alzheimer's disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and heart attack can all be helped by these compounds. Tomatoes too are able to help in the prevention of conditions like heart disease and some cancers. Using concentrated tomato in the form of puree, sauce and juice is an even more efficient way of increasing intake of this fruit. In the heat of summer, a watermelon can be one of the most refreshing of fruits but it has also been found to have a range of the most important phytonutrients so far discovered. We are told to eat more fruit and now there is a very good scientific reason to do this.