Health Benefits of Eating Red Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits provide various benefits to our health. Generally speaking, most people tend to connect green color with being healthy, regarding that eating green fruits will be more helpful to their health. However, nutritionists point out that red fruits also offer a number of healthy rewards to us.

Varieties of red fruits are powerful anti-oxidants, which can help ward off inflammation, prevent urinary tract infections and reduce the risk of certain cancers. As a result, experts suggest that people should try to eat red fruits twice every day. Following we introduce some typical kinds of red fruits, each with its distinctive features and functions.

First, cherry
Research finding shows that cherry contains rich anthocyanin, which can prevent inflammation. For a person with the inflammation from osteoarthritis, if he eats 35 cherries a day, his pain will be relieved gradually. And the effect is equal to that of a dose of aspirin. What's more, cherry contains plenty of iron, which has the effect of promoting the regeneration of hemoglobin and preventing cancer.


Second, watermelon
Watermelon is high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and is a good source of potassium. Research shows that watermelon is a necessary addition to our healthy diet and that all parts of the watermelon, including the seeds and rind, are edible and healthy to our body. Watermelon juice contains a variety of important chemical constituents which are beneficial to our health and beauty of the skin. These nutrients are easily absorbed by the face skin, with the good effects of moisturizing, nourishing, sun-protecting, and whitening of the skin.

Third, cranberry
According to the pharmacopoeia records in United States, cranberry is the best fruit to deal with cystitis and urinary tract infection. According to the studies, the effect of cranberry comes from a unique "phenyl peroxide", which has the similar effect of vaccine. So it can wake up the function of the immune system, and inh

ibit the invasion of harmful bacteria. In addition, cranberry also contains a super-popular antioxidant called as "proanthocyanidin". By its special antioxidant power, it can avoid cell damage and maintain the health and vitality of the cells. A part from the function of preventing urinary tract infections, cranberry can also lower the level of cholesterol. And according to some studies, it contains ellagic acid, which may fight against cancer.

Other red fruits such as red pepper and tomato are also packed with rich phyto-nutrients, which are very helpful to our health. As a result, let's include red fruits in our daily diet!


Others
Nutrition and Health Benefits: Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, and potassium. Lycopene in tomatoes has been found to be protective against some forms of cancer and heart disease.

Selection and storage: Choose tomatoes that have a deep rich color with bright, shiny skins and firm flesh. Store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Use within 1 week after becoming ripe. Tomatoes taste best if not refrigerated; refrigerate only if you can’t use them before they spoil.

Nutrients and Health Benefits: Onions are a very good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. They are rich in powerful sulfur-containing compounds that have anti-bacterial properties.
Selection and Storage: Choose onions that are firm and dry with bright, smooth outer skins. Store whole onions in a cool, dark, well ventilated place for up to 4 weeks. Refrigerate cut onions in a tightly sealed container for use within 2-3 days.

Nutrients and Health Benefits: Bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamins A and C. These antioxidants work together to effectively neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are major players in the build up of cholesterol in the arteries that lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease, nerve and blood vessel damage seen in diabetes, cloudy lenses of cataracts, and the joint pain and damage seen in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Red bell peppers are also an excellent source of vitamin B6, an essential nutrient for normal brain development and function. Red bell peppers also contain lycopene.

Selection and storage: Choose firm, brightly colored peppers that are heavy for their size. Unwashed sweet peppers stored in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator will keep for up to one week. Sweet peppers can be frozen without first being blanched. It is better to freeze them whole since there will be less exposure to air which can decrease both their nutrient content and flavor.

Nutrients and health benefits: Aside from its cancer-fighting lycopene, watermelon is high in vitamins A, C, B1 and B6. Watermelon is a good source of potassium, folic acid.

Selection and storage: Choose symmetrical watermelons with dried stems and yellowish undersides that are heavy for size. Store whole watermelons at room temperature. Refrigerate cut watermelons in an airtight container for use within 5 days.

Nutrients and health benefits: Fresh, crisp apples are an excellent source of phytochemicals, a good source of vitamin C and fiber as well as vitamin B and potassium. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps keep the blood vessels healthy, aids in the absorption of iron and protects the body’s cells from damage. The health benefits of fiber include prevention of constipation, aiding in weight loss and lowering your risk of digestive conditions.

Selection and storage: Choose fully ripened apples for the most antioxidants. Look for firm fruits with rich coloring and intact stems that smell fresh. Store apples in the refrigerator and enjoy a sweet, crunchy, whole apple at least 2-3 times each week. Use within 3 weeks.

Nutrients and health benefits: Beets are an excellent source of the B vitamin, folate, and a very good source of manganese and potassium. Beets are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus.

Selection and Storage: Choose small or medium-sized beets whose roots are firm, smooth-skinned and deep in color. Unwashed beets may be stored in the refrigerator crisper for up to 4 weeks.

Nutrients and health benefits: Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. This heart shaped fruit is also a very good source of dietary fiber and iodine and a good source of potassium, folate, vitamin K and magnesium.

Selection and storage: Choose shiny, firm strawberries with a bright red color. Caps should be fresh, green and intact. Do not wash strawberries until ready to eat. Store in refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Nutrients and health benefits: Cranberries are high in vitamin C and fiber. Contain a large amount of antioxidants and may help protect against heart disease and cancer. They also have an antibacterial effect on the body.

Selection and Storage: Feel for firmness and toss one to see if it will bounce. Due to their acidic nature, cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen.

Nutrients and Health Benefits: Pomegranates are a good source of dietary fiber, and folate, and a very good source of vitamins C and K. They are rich in antioxidants that help keep arteries clear of cholesterol.

Selection and Storage: Fruits should be plump and round, heavy for their size, with a rich, fresh color and should be free of cuts and blemishes. Larger fruits produce more juice. Whole fruits can be stored for a month in a cool, dry area or refrigerated up to two months.

Nutrients and health benefits: Raspberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. Raspberries are one of the highest fiber containing fruits. As an antioxidant food, raspberries help prevent damage to cell membranes and other structures in the body by neutralizing free radicals.

Selection and Storage: Raspberries spoil very quickly, they should only be purchased one or two days prior to use. Choose berries that are firm, plump and deep in color. Unwashed raspberries will keep fresh in the refrigerator for one or two days.