Eat More Fruit
These ideas might stimulate your fruit consumption!
Why should we have five to nine fresh pieces a day?
For the largest part fruit consists of water just like the human body does;
Fruit is 100% bad-cholesterol free;
Fruit stimulates the memory;
The miraculous healing effects of fruit;
High consumption helps reduce risk of various diseases such as cancer, obesity, heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, macular degeneration, and diverticulosis;
Excellent source of fiber;
Rich in vitamins and minerals;
Low in calories and fat-free;
Abundant in phytochemicals and antioxidants;
Fruit makes you feel better;
Fruit is the most natural food;
The human diet;
Health Benefits of Apples: (An apple a day keeps the doctor away)
*Pectin
A fiber that protects the heart by lowering artery-clogging LDL cholesterol and raising artery cleaning HDL cholesterol, prevents damage to blood vessels reduces radiation effects, protects against heart disease and gallstones.
*Complex Carbohydrate
Helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do.
*Catechins
Protect against coronary heart disease.
*Flavonoids
Protect against breathing disorders including asthma.
*Phenols
Protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease.
*Fiber
Constipation, purges body of toxins.
Health Benefits of Apricots, Peaches & Nectarines:
*Beta Carotene
A precursor of vitamin A that deep yellow and orange fruits have in common and that rank high as cancer-fighting foods and also keeps skin smooth soft and unblemished, protects the eyes, digestive tract and lungs.
*Complex Carbohydrate
Helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do.
*Vitamin C
Protects against infection, important in the development of collagen, the "glue" that holds bones
and muscles together.
*Magnesium
Aids in healthy heart function; deficiency of this mineral is associated with coronary vasospasm, which leads to heart attacks and sudden death.
*Phenols
Protect against heart disease and cancer.
*Fiber
Laxative effect reduces cholesterol, purges body of toxic substances.
Health Benefits of Bananas:
*Potassium
Keeps heart healthy, helps muscles contract, helps nerves carry impulses properly, turns food into energy.
*Pectin
Protects the heart by lowering artery-clogging LDL, cholesterol and raising artery-cleaning HDL cholesterol, prevents damage to blood vessels, reduces radiation effects, protects against heart disease and gallstones.
*Fiber
Constipation, purges body of toxins.
*Iodine
Necessary for normal function of thyroid gland, may protect against breast cancer, may prevent menopausal symptoms by balancing the thyroid.
*Phenols
Protects against cancer, heart and blood vessel disease.
*Complex Carbohydrate
Helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do.
Health Benefits of Citrus:
*Liminoids
Cancer protective; inhibits growth of estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells.
*Vitamin C
Protects against fatigue and frequent infections, promotes healing, heals bleeding gums, heals back lesions, reduces aching joints.
*Inositol
Controls cholesterol level, healthy hair, fat metabolism.
*Flavonoids & Pectin
Reduce pain, lower cholesterol, heal bruises, protects heart by lowering artery-clogging LDL cholesterol and raising artery-cleaning HDL cholesterol, prevents damage to blood vessels reduces radiation effects, protects against heart disease and gallstones.
*Magnesium
Works with calcium to ensure healthy muscle movement and a strong heart beat, prevents blood vessel and heart disease.
*Manganese
Aids in fat metabolism, bone formation, brain function, and may protect against cancer.
*Antibacterial Agent
Combats a variety of common infectious organisms.
*Phenols
Protect against cancer and heart and blood vessel disease.
*Complex Carbohydrate
Helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do.
*Fiber
Constipation, purges body of toxins.
Health Benefits of Grapes: (Red)
*Phenols
Protect against cancer and heart, blood vessel disease.
*Seratonin
Relaxes the body and mind.
*Antibiotic Agent
Can kill intestinal, herpes simplex, polio viruses and improve gum health.
*Fiber
Constipation, purges body of toxins.
Health Benefits of Cherries:
The flavonoids found in cherries act as antioxidants in the body, scavenging for and destroying altered oxygen compounds called free radicals.
Many degenerative diseases have been associated with the tissue damage that these free radicals can cause, including cataracts, Parkinsons disease, and arteriosclerosis.
The flavonoids found in cherries could actually reduce the risk of death from heart attack in middleaged men with coronary artery disease.
Flavonoids, such as those found in cherries, are also natural anti inflammatory compounds, preventing both the synthesis and release of inflammation promoting substances such as histamine.
This has made flavonoids a favorite among practitioners of natural medicine for the treatment of allergies, arthritis, or any condition in which chronic inflammation is present.
Flavonoids also strengthen collagen, the building fibers of connective tissue, by cross linking the fibers themselves.
Health Benefits of Pomegranate:
The pomegranate, affectionately known as the "jewel of winter," has recently been acclaimed for its health benefits, in particular, for its disease fighting antioxidant potential. Preliminary studies suggest that pomegranate juice may contain almost three times the total antioxidant ability compared with the same quantity of green tea or red wine. It also provides a substantial amount of potassium, is high in fiber, and contains vitamin C and niacin.
Used in folk medicine (to treat inflammation, sore throats, and rheumatism) for centuries in the Middle East, India, and Iran.
Health Benefits of Watermelon:
Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
Sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature.
Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, notably through its concentration of beta-carotene.These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the body that can cause a great deal of damage Fortunately, vitamin C and beta-carotene are very good at getting rid of these harmful molecules and can therefore prevent the damage they would otherwise cause. As a matter of fact, high intakes of vitamin C and beta-carotene have been shown in a number of scientific studies to reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce the airway spasm that occurs in asthma, reduce the risk of colon cancer, and alleviate some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A cup of watermelon provides 24.3% of the daily value for vitamin C, and, through its beta-carotene, 11.1% of the DV for vitamin A. Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Our food ranking system also qualified watermelon as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium.
Watermelon is also a very concentrated source of the carotenoid, lycopene. Lycopene has been extensively studied for its antioxidant and cancer-preventing properties.
Health Benefits of Kiwi:
Kiwi fruit can offer a great deal more than an exotic tropical flair in your fruit salad. These emerald delights contain numerous phytonutrients as well as well known vitamins and minerals that promote your health.
Kiwi's Phytonutrients Protect DNA
In the world of phytonutrient research, kiwifruit has fascinated researchers for its ability to protect DNA in the nucleus of human cells from oxygenrelated damage.
Researchers are not yet certain which compounds in kiwi give it this protective antioxidant capacity, but they are sure that this healing property is not limited to those nutrients most commonly associated with kiwi fruit, including its vitamin C or beta-carotene content. Since kiwi contains a variety of flavonoids and carotenoids that have demonstrated antioxidant activity, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.
Premier Antioxidant Protection
Kiwi fruit emerged from our food ranking system as an excellent source of vitamin C. This nutrient is the primary water soluble antioxidant in the body, neutralizing free radicals that can cause damage to cells and lead to problems such as inflammation and cancer. In fact, adequate intake of vitamin C has been shown to be helpful in reducing the severity of conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and asthma, and for preventing conditions such as colon cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetic heart disease. Kiwi fruit is also a good source of two of the most important fat soluble antioxidants, vitamin E and vitamin A. Vitamin A is provided in the form of beta carotene. This combination of both fat and water soluble antioxidants makes kiwi able to provide free radical protection on all fronts.
Fiber for Blood Sugar Control Plus Cardiovascular and Colon Health
Our food ranking system also qualified kiwi fruit as a very good source of dietary fiber. The fiber in kiwi fruit has also been shown to be useful for a number of conditions. Researchers have found that diets that contain plenty of fiber can reduce high cholesterol levels, which may reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Fiber is also good for binding and removing toxins from the colon, which is helpful for preventing colon cancer.In addition, fiberrich foods, like kiwifruit, are good for keeping the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients under control. Kiwi fruit also passed our food ranking test as a good source of the minerals potassium, magnesium, copper and phosphorous.
Protection against Asthma
Eating vitamin C-rich fruit such as kiwi may confer a significant protective effect against respiratory symptoms associated with asthma such as wheezing.
A Blood Thinning Alternative to Aspirin
Enjoying just a couple of kiwi fruit each day can significantly lower your risk for blood clots and reduce the amount of fats (triglycerides) in your blood, making kiwi a delicious blood thinning alternative to aspirin for protecting cardiovascular health.
Health Benefits of Fig:
Help Lower High Blood Pressure
Figs are a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps to control blood pressure.
A Sweet Way to Lose Weight
Figs are a good source of dietary fiber. Fiber and fiber rich foods may have a positive effect on weight management.
An Insulin-Lowering Leaf in Diabetes
You probably do not think about the leaves of the fig tree as one of fig's edible parts. But in some cultures, fig leaves are a common part of the menu, and for good reason. The leaves of the fig have repeatedly been shown to have antidiabetic properties and can actually reduce the amount of insulin needed by persons with diabetes who require insulin injections.
Bone Density Promoter
Figs are a fruit source of calcium, a mineral that has many functions including promoting bone density. Additionally, figs' potassium may also counteract the increased urinary calcium loss caused by the high-salt diets.
Cardiovascular and Cancer-Protective Effects
In addition to their blood sugar stabilizing properties, in animal studies, fig leaves have been shown to lower levels of triglycerides (a form in which fats circulate in the bloodstream), while in in vitro studies, fig leaves inhibited the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
Researchers have not yet determined exactly which substances in fig leaves are responsible for these remarkable healing effects.
Besides their potassium and fiber content, figs emerged from our food ranking system as a good source of the trace mineral manganese.
