Originally published July 29 2005
Fighting disease with fruits
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Among the disease-fighting fruits are oranges, which are linked to a reduced risk of lung and stomach cancers if eaten regularly, apples, which are full of fiber and vitamin C and could fight cancer and Alzheimer's Disease, and blueberries, which have high antioxidant activity and can protect against heart disease, cancer, poor eyesight and aging.
Everyone is trying to get us to eat more fruits by touting their abilities to help us lose weight, fight cancer and even prevent the common cold.
Antioxidants in fruits (and vegetables) may prevent the harmful oxidation that leads to disease and signs of aging.
And they're powerful cancer fighters, said Dr. Mehmet Oz, a professor of surgery, the director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Columbia University and a co-author of You: The Owner's Manual (HarperCollins, 2005).
"Ninety percent of the population has cancer at any given point; it's just that our bodies are constantly fighting it off, which is exactly why cancer-fighting foods are so important," Oz said.
And because fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and water, you get a lot of food for relatively few calories.
Nutrients: Packed with vitamin C and fiber, oranges also contain thiamin, folate, vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), potassium and calcium.
Health perks: Researchers have found more than 170 phytochemicals in oranges.
Karen Collins, a registered dietitian and nutrition adviser to The American Institute for Cancer Research, said, "Oranges are among the few major sources of a group of flavonoid phytochemicals called flavanones."
These flavonoids help prevent DNA damage from cancer-causing substances and decrease inflammation throughout the body.
Why: They come in hundreds of varieties, they taste wonderful, and they're very low in calories.
Apples aren't bursting with vitamins, but boast disease-fighting ability and portability.
Nutrients: Blueberries are a good source of vitamin C, manganese and dietary fiber.
Health perks: Fresh or frozen blueberries protect against heart disease, weak eyesight, cancer and aging.
A Tufts University study found that the antioxidant activity of blueberries consistently outscores other fruits and vegetables.
Blueberries also contain potassium and vitamin C, which play a role in lowering blood pressure.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml