Originally published January 4 2006
News source explains the advantages fruits and veggies have over supplements
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
An ABC affiliate in Chicago discusses the relative merits of produce and nutritional supplements, and in the end, fruits and vegetables offer more in terms of disease protection and total nutrition.
Fruits and vegetables contain an abundant amount of essential nutrients such as vitamins, folic acid and minerals.
Researches now say knowing which produce is healthier is as easy as looking at the color.
That is because the color is the result of a long evolutionary process in which plants build defenses to ward off diseases and create their own sun block.
EAT THE SKIN, EAT THE PHYTOCHEMICALS: Phytochemicals are chemicals in plants that contain protective, disease-preventing elements.
Although phytochemicals are not yet classified as nutrients, which are substances necessary for sustaining life, they have been identified as containing properties for aiding in disease prevention of some of the leading causes of death including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Although researchers have long known these chemicals help plants fight diseases, they have only recently discovered that they help people as well.
It is estimated that in just one serving of vegetables there are more than 100 different phytochemicals.
Nonetheless, just eating darker colored fruit is not the only thing needed to get the essential chemicals.
DON'T STRESS OVER SALAD OR SUPPLEMENTS: It is estimated that Americans spend more than 2 billion dollars a year on vitamin supplements.
While supplements are certainly better than nothing, it is impossible to get the same diversity of compounds that occur naturally in foods.
While pills may give a shot of this or a shot of that or even a mixture of shots, they cannot recreate the natural and complex absorption of nutrients that occurs when fruits and vegetables are consumed naturally.
Therefore, instead of stressing over color and chemicals, just relax and go for the produce that seems most appealing.
Five servings of the lightest colored fruits or vegetables still offer more nutrients than a pill can.
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