.jpg)
Fruits are a tasty source of vitamins and minerals, but some fruits are better than others. This helpful guide will enable you to choose the right fruit for your dietary needs.
Anti-Oxidants: Let's start with the anti-oxidants, because cancer is high on most people's list of concerns and anti-oxidants work not only to prevent cancers, but also help defeat them once an infestation occurs.
Blueberries and strawberries are high in anti-oxidants, but acai and maqui berries are far richer in them. Unfortunately they grow in South America, so they are not always easy to find. Adding powdered acai or maqui to smoothies will accomplish the goal and help mask the bitter taste of the acai.
The skin of red and yellow apples contains an anti-oxidant called quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. Studies show that eating five or more apples a week leads to stronger lung capacity.
Brain Health: Keeping your brain healthy will lead to improvements in memory, to better cognitive function, and help to prevent conditions like Alzheimer's.
Blueberries truly are a wonder-berry. Studies have shown that blueberries contain flavonoids that improve memory, and eating them regularly will help keep your brain sharp as you age. Blueberries are also rich in manganese (as do raspberries), which helps regulate your metabolism to keep you slim and full of energy.
The camu camu berry, grown in the Amazon, is the best source of vitamin C in the world, but it also helps shield the brain from dementia and reduces the buildup of plaque on brain nerves. It creates a protective barrier for the nervous system and it heightens cognitive function.
Heart Health: The redder the fruit, the higher the anti-oxidant levels. Eating pink grapefruit regularly will lower your bad cholesterol, leading to a healthier heart. Cherries are rich in an anti-oxidant called anthocyanin, which is an anti-inflammatory and lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Blackberries and lychee are rich on polyphenols, an anti-oxidant that is also found in green tea. Polyphenols help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancers, and osteoporosis.
Grapes are so amazing that they span several categories of good health. They contain an anti-oxidant called resveratol, which promotes a healthy heart. The seeds contain a compound that helps slow down Alzheimer's. Lab tests have shown that grapes fight cancer cells in the neck and head. The malic acid in grapes breaks down stains on teeth, but eat them as fresh as possible because the malic acid breaks down as it ripens. Strawberries are also good for your heart, because of the folic acid in them, but, oddly enough, they also help whiten your teeth.
Dragon Fruit are bold in appearance but mild in taste. Their seeds are rich in oleic and other fatty acids, which reduce the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol levels. What is particularly special about this is that our bodies do not naturally produce these fatty acids.
Avocadoes are rich in monounsaturated fats and fatty acids, which help to lower your LDLs (the bad cholesterol), while increasing your HDLs. They also help absorb lycopene and beta-carotene, found in other foods, which work to build a strong heart. Lycopene can be found in tomatoes, asparagus, and many red fruits. Beta-carotene can be found in spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, apricots, melon, pumpkin, sweet red peppers, peas, and broccoli.
Anti-Aging: Cantaloupes are packed with vitamin A, which boosts cell reproduction, and thus acts as a natural defoliator that keeps your skin healthy.
Goji berries provide an anti-aging quality through the promotion of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels and are rich in polysaccharides, which helps build up the immune system, as well as a range of anti-oxidants. Noni fruit also contain high levels of polysaccharides, as well as anti-inflammatory properties.
For Women: Cranberries are good for everyone, but especially good for women. Drinking a daily glass of unsweetened cranberry juice (yes, it is quite tart) will increase your HDLs (the good cholesterol) by 10%. It helps prevent urinary tract infections, but it is particularly important in dealing with cancer. A recent study shows that cranberry juice improved the results of the chemotherapy treatment used to fight ovarian cancer.
.jpg)
