Fruit Antioxidants For Better Health By: Scott Morgan

Much has been said about the advantages of antioxidants but did you know that they are able to help fight a number of diseases and conditions and all this from something found in plants. 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.

More than 900 different phytonutrients have been found in plant foods already, these protective plant compounds are an emerging area of health and nutrition, with new research reported almost daily. Recent studies have indicated the phytonutrients found in fruit provide a whole host of natural health benefits; cherries for instance are able to reduce the pain in joints and blueberries have anti-aging properties.

The humble blueberry (famous for homemade pies) has very low sugar content whilst having many antioxidants that are good for our health. Fruit juice provides many benefits and is a more pleasurable way to consume this type of food; regular consumption can help our circulation and increase our ability to combat illness. Infection is also reduced as are the chances of disease from the powerful antioxidants they contain. The old saying about an apple-a-day couldn't be truer with evidence that they can help prevent the chance of heart conditions occurring.

Even lemons and other citrus fruits are proving very capable at providing useful phytochemicals of their own. Tart cherries for instance have a number of properties which work together to help people who have arthritis, gout and fibromyalgia. 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. A large group of common berries also contain specialized antioxidants called Phytoalexins (resveratrol); these have anti-viral and anti-fungal properties that can be of benefit to people.

Many aging conditions, including Alzheimer's, can be treated with some of these. Tomatoes also are able to help in the prevention of conditions like heart disease and some cancers. However, the use of concentrated tomatoes in the form of juice, sauces and puree can increase the intake level of this fruit dramatically.

Even the humble water melon, so refreshing on a hot summer's day, has now been found to have some of the most important and powerful phytonutrients available naturally. There is no longer any reason to neglect fruit form your diet as it could literally save your life.

Looking for more health information and tips? Visit better health and nutrition for wide ranging information on all health matters.

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