Fruitilicious

There are many benefits to Fruit!!  Many times people are scared away from fruits because they are Carbohydrates and have sugar.  But I'm here to tell you that fruit is nature's perfect package.  Get a quick natural energy boost, wrapped in vitamins and fiber and packaged by nature to be eaten with just a hand and mouth (most of the time).  Yellow fruits such as apricots, cantaloupe, and persimmons are good sources of carotene which converts to vitamin A in the body.  Citrus Fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and tangerines along with red and green peppers, and cantaloupe, strawberries, and tomatoes are best sources of Vitamin C.  Besides being high in Vitamin A and C they have many other health saving properties.  Look at the list below for your favorite fruit and enjoy!!!


Fruit  Benefit :

 apples :
Protects your heart, prevents constipation, Blocks diarrhea, Improves lung capacity, Cushions joints, reduce cholesterol, fight infections, prevent cancer, suppress appetite.
apricots :
Combats cancer, Controls blood pressure, Saves your eyesight, Shields against Alzheimer’s, Slows aging process.
artichokes:
 Aids digestion, Lowers cholesterol, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Guard s against liver disease.

avocados:
 Battles diabetes, Lowers cholesterol, Helps stops strokes, Controls blood pressure, Smoothes skin.

bananas and plantains:
 Protects your heart, Quiets a cough, Strengthens bones, Controls blood pressure, Blocks diarrhea.
 
beets:
 Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones, Protects your heart, Aids weight loss.

blueberries:
 Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Boosts memory, Prevents constipation.  


cranberries: 
prevent bladder and kidney infections, prevent plaques, prevent kidney stones

cherries:
anti-inflammatory, reduce arthritis and gout, good for the heart


dates:
natural form of aspirin, high in potassium, laxative

figs:
remedy for constipation, build bones, shrink tumors, fight parasites

grapefruit:
lower cholesterol, reverse clogged arteries, antiviral, detoxifier, slows tumor growth

lemon/lime:
antioxidants, block cancer, diuretic, prevent scurvy

kiwi fruit:
used for treatment of stomach and breast cancer

grapes:
(red) antioxidant, cancer fighting, raise good HDL cholesterol level, delay in tooth decay

mangosteen:
treat infections, skin ailments and digestive problems

melons:
antioxidant, most alkaline fruit, protect heart

oranges:
protect against respiratory infection, viruses, and gum disease

pineapple:
antiviral, antibacterial, help prevent osteoporosis, aids in digestion, anti-inflammatory, dissolves blood clots

plums: 
antiviral, antibacterial

prunes:
natural aspirin, laxative

raspberries:
antiviral, anticancer, natural aspirin

strawberries:
antiviral, block cancer, benefit cardiovascular system

Get Your Fruits

Phytochemicals for Healthy Skin

Skin is the largest organ in our body, weighing about eleven pounds. Our skin serves as a protective shield against environmental chemicals, toxins, bacteria and UV radiation. We collectively spend billions of dollars each year to enhance our skin’s physical outward appearance. Fortunately, a healthy diet is an inexpensive solution to improve the protective qualities and appearance of our skin. 

Phytochemicals Protect Against Sun Damage
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting one out of every five Americans. UV rays produce harmful free radicals, which can damage our DNA and lead to cancer. While certain types ofsunscreen and sunblock effectively block UVA and UVB rays from the sun, a nutrient dense diet can enhance our natural defenses against UV rays by combating free radical damage. For example consider the following two phytochemicals. 

• Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant found in red and pink fruits such as tomato, grapefruit, and papaya. Studies show that lycopene has photo-protective qualities that prevent and repair DNA damage to the skin caused by the sun.2 • Polyphenols are a family of antioxidants that possess anti-inflammatory and photoprotective activities that improve the overall quality of the skin. Polyphenols are found in most fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. Rich sources include onions (flavanols), cacao, grapes, peanuts (resveratrol), apples and green tea (catechins), citrus fruits (flavanones), and berries (anthocyanidins). Studies have shown that the catechins and flavanols offer significant protection against solar-induced skin tumors and also repaired UVB skin damage and increased skin circulation, elasticity and hydration.3

Phytochemicals Give the Skin a Healthy Glow
As a society, we tend to recognize tanned skin as an indicator of health and vitality. However, darkening the skin with the sun’s rays promotes wrinkling and aging of the skin. On the other hand, food-derived carotenoids are pigment molecules that can "color" the skin with a slight yellow-orange tinge providing protective health benefits. One interesting study found that people preferred the skin color caused by carotenoids over the skin color from a suntan, suggesting that carotenoids contribute to a healthier and younger looking complexion.⁴ There is a direct correlation between skin color and health: skin with an orange tinge reflects a healthy, nutrient rich diet.
A diet rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants provides protection against skin damage and cancer and is also an effective way to achieve healthful looking skin.

Phytochemicals and antioxidants can be found in my favorite nutritious shake!! Find out more Here:  Shakeology

References

1. Skin Cancer Foundation: Skin Cancer Facts. October 14, 2010]; Available from: http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer-Facts/.
2. Rizwan, M., et al., Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo. Br J Dermatol, 2010. 
3. Heinrich, U., Neukam K., et al. Long-Term Ingestion of High Flavanol Cocoa Provides Photoprotection against UV-Induced Erythema and Improves Skin Condition in Women. J. Nutr. June 1, 2006 vol. 136 no. 6 1565-1569 
4. Stephen, I.D., Coetzee, V., Perrett, D.I., Carotenoid and melanin pigment coloration affect perceived human health. Evolution and Human Behavior, 2010.