Health knowledge made personal
Join this community!
› Share page: Email Digg del.icio.us Reddit icon StumbleUpon Technorati
Go
Search posts:

Superfoods to the Rescue

Posted Jul 20 2010 11:48pm

Ruby-red pomegranate is an antioxidant superstar

Exotic fruits and berries boast big antioxidants

 

  From South America to Malaysia, from Hawaii to China, fruits, berries, and their juices are being hailed as the new superfoods. Boasting high amounts of   antioxidants   and other vital nutrients, superfoods can play a supporting role in a healthy diet.

Rush of antioxidants

Antioxidants   are the body’s armed forces, working to prevent free-radical damage to the body’s cells, which is associated with premature aging and disease.

Ruby-red pomegranate is an antioxidant superstar. The distinctive sweet-tart flavor of the seeds and juice adds flare to food and drink. Native to Iran and the northern Himalayas in India, the pomegranate today is grown in California and Arizona.

Açaí   is another rich antioxidant source with a notable taste: a cross between dark chocolate and berries. Derived from Amazon palmberries, its rich purple pigment denotes a high antioxidant level. According to the manufacturers, açaí is also high in   amino acids   and   fatty acids, which help to keep cell membranes supple. You’ll find açaí in smoothies, juices, teas, and powders.

Exotic fruits for vitality

A host of other fruits from around the world show promise for their health-promoting properties, though research is needed to confirm their benefits.

The berries and juice of the goji fruit holds its nutritional treasures. From the Ningxia province of China, goji, a fruit of an evergreen shrub, was traditionally regarded as a longevity-promoting and strength-building tonic. Goji is high in   antioxidants   and   amino acids, according to the manufacturers.

The juice of the native Malaysian mangosteen  Garcinia mangostanas  contains a class of   antioxidants   called xanthones, which hold promise for their disease-fighting properties.

Noni, or the morinda tree, is found in the Polynesian Islands and Hawaii. The fruit and its juice are used traditionally as a laxative and topically for   skin ailments. Today noni is touted for its ability to aid a wide variety of conditions from improving   asthma   to assisting in   weight loss.

Keep it real

When trying new products—especially those that make big promises—do your research and consult your healthcare practitioner so you can make informed choices. Remember that moderation and variation are the keys to health, and a wide variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts and other protein sources, will work together to promote health and vigor.

Post a comment
Write a comment:

Related Searches