Fruit Antioxidants

Antioxidants are nature's way to fight illness and disease; they are found in a wide variety of plants. Many fruits and vegetables contain these compounds called ‘phytonutrients', which have the beneficial effect of keeping us healthy by improving our immune system. 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; the anti-aging power of blueberries, the joint pain relieving properties of cherries and a whole host of powerful properties in pomegranates are just a few examples.

Containing less sugar than most fruits, the blueberry can also boast a number of other antioxidant properties too. Often the easiest way for people to take fruit is in juice form which are readily available all year round; some of the many benefits have been improvements in the body's capacity to heal itself and benefits to circulation. Not content with helping to prevent illness, these antioxidants also help fight disease and infection. You will also find high levels of these substances in apples which can help to reduce the chance of heart disease.

Lemons, limes and other citrus fruits to are proving to have many such phytochemical properties as well. Joint pain like arthritis, fibromyalgia and gout are also aided by the phytonutrients found in tart cherries. 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. The Phytoalexin (another antioxidant), resveratrol has many anti-viral and anti-infection properties used by plants, a number of these are helpful to people, they are found in blueberries, mulberries and blackberries.

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. Others found in tomatoes make this one super-food in the prevention of heart disease. The best way to concentrate these antioxidant properties has been found when we use tomato sauce, puree and juice. 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. People have been advised to eat more fruit (more than they currently consume) for some time but now the science behind this advice is finally beginning to show through.