Food & Beverage Facts and Tips

Although it has been known for a while that compounds in plants contain antioxidant properties capable of protecting us from coronary conditions and cancer, it is only now becoming known just how extensive this ability may be. Certain plants contain phytonutrients that are compatible with our own body’s system to help keep us healthy.

The research into these fantastic compounds continues with over nine hundred compounds discovered already; with these discoveries (and more to come), scientists believe the face of healthcare is changing, hopefully forever. There has been a whole host of discoveries made into the properties of these phytonutrients; cherries for instance are able to reduce the pain in joints and blueberries have anti-aging properties.

Containing less sugar than most fruits, the blueberry can also boast a number of other antioxidant properties too. Currently the most efficient and pleasurable way to get the benefits of these fruits is by drinking their juice; some of the many benefits have been improvements in the body’s capacity to heal itself and benefits to circulation. These can also strengthen the body’s ability to fight disease and infection due to they’re powerful antioxidants and healthy nutrients. The health benefits of apples are now being researched with a reduced chance of coronary disease being one of these.

Citrus fruits can be helpful because of the phytochemicals they contain. Tart cherries for instance have a number of properties which work together to help people who have arthritis, gout and fibromyalgia. Most of us have already heard about the benefits that certain minerals and vitamins like B, c and E provide which have now become widely used in products. Another antioxidant is resveratrol has many infection and viral prevention properties and is found in the likes of blackberries, mulberries but more highly in blueberries.

Many aging conditions, including Alzheimer’s, can be treated with some of these. Others found in tomatoes make this one super-food in the prevention of heart disease. However, it is now recognized that the best way to receive a sufficient quantity of the antioxidants contained in a tomato is by having it as a puree in a dish using tomato sauce or as a juice. The sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important in phytonutrients in nature. The health benefits of plants are still in the early stages but why wait to appreciate the benefits this whole range of fruits can bring.

Tags: gourmet, cuisine