The blackberry is simply one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. They are full of natural goodness and have lots of essential nutrients and vitamins which are very good for your health. So, if you are someone that enjoys eating delicious blackberry Jam or pie, pat yourself on the back, as you’ve chosen a great antioxidant in fruit.
The berries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants you can find. They have very high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value and can supply your body with a whopping 2036 units of antioxidants per 100 grams.
Ripe berries are packed with powerful antioxidants like polyphenols and anthocyanins. Antioxidants, as you know, are very essential for your body. They fight and neutralize free radicals which can cause serious damage to your health. According to research institutes, regular intake of antioxidants can reduce the risk of several diseases including cancer.
Blackberries (Photo on Right by Ali S) are rich in salicylate, which is a natural analgesic (pain reliever). It can help reduce the risk of heart diseases significantly. They are also rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E is yet another powerful antioxidant which can fight the free radicals in the body. More importantly, vitamin E can prevent all types of skin related problems caused by free radicals. Wrinkles, dark spots, and other such skin problems are usually caused by the action of free radicals on the skin. By eating blackberries regularly, you can stay away from these problems. As well, blackberries contain lots of vitamin C and can help boost your immune system.
One cup of blackberries, which is around 150g, contains 75 calories, one gram of protein, half a gram of fat, 18 grams of carbohydrates, around 8 grams of fiber, and needless to say, plenty of antioxidants. In short – it is one of the healthiest foods you can eat.
Amazingly, the entire plant of blackberry is full of valuable nutrients. Its stem, its leaves, and roots are full of tanantioxidant-fruits.comc acid, which is also a natural analgesic. The leaves, roots, and the outer parts of the stem are usually dried and used to make tea which has a lot of medicinal values.
It is suggested that you eat blackberries raw, as cooking can break down some valuable nutrients present in them. Since they are full of natural fructose sugars, the ripe berries are delicious to eat. So, add blackberries to your everyday meal and enjoy their natural goodness.
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Chances are you hadn’t heard the Acai Fruit until it made the “Top Ten List of Super Foods” compiled by dermatologist and author Dr. Nicholas Perricone.
As Oprah mentioned, “This little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world. It can often be found in juice form in health food and gourmet stores.” Oprah recently featured the berry again on her February 5th airing of “Dr. Oz’s Ultimate Anti-Aging Checklist”. Dr. Oz commented on the show, “It has twice the antioxidant content as a blueberry, so it’s a wonderful alternative,” Dr. Oz says. “Look at the food label and make sure they don’t have too many carbohydrates in there. It’s available in all major stores now. It’s just sort of breaking through.”
Açaí (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) is the fruit of a palm tree that grows in the Amazon rain forests of Brazil. The acai fruit is a small, round, blackish purple berry about 1 inch in diameter. Two or three crops of fruit are produced each year. The harvesting of this little berry, allows for the trees to stay where they are. In other words, the famous heart of palm, becomes less valuable because the tree has to be cut down for it and obviously one only gets one rendering of the product by cutting down the tree. Whereas, with the production of the berry, the tree has at least two uses every year.
The acai fruit has found fame recently, being labeled as the new kid on the block of disease super-fighters. The reason behind this fruit’s ascension is the large amount of antioxidants it carries as weapons in the war.
So the recent popularity of Antioxidant Açaí is not only helping humans in many ways, but also preventing deforestation of the Amazon.
The Acai Fruit is loaded with antioxidants that protect your health and give you energy. In fact, it delivers 33 times more antioxidant power than both red grapes and red wine. The Acai Fruit also contains amino acids, important vitamins and trace minerals.
In summary, Acai is rich in the following beneficial nutrients:
Since açaí loses it’s nutritional value rapidly after harvesting, outside the growing region, popular forms of açaí are frozen, dried or freeze-dried. Several companies now manufacture juices, health drinks, and sorbets with these little berries (often times with other berries and fruits included with it).
Harvesting of the berry deep begins in the Brazilian Amazon—removing only the berries and leaving the tree for future harvesting and safeguarding the rainforest. Since the açaí berry is a delicate fruit, much of its vitamins and nutrients can be lost within 24 hours after harvesting. Some companies take special care to freeze the berry, and then reduce the berry into a fine freeze dried powder.
It is through this patent pending technique that certain companies are able to capture the amazing benefits that only the fresh açaí berry can offer. For bottling, the best technique is flash pasteurization rather than kettle pasteurization; therefore capturing the fresh flavors, vibrant colors and dense nutrient content of the berry.
Acai berry complex protects the body’s cells from pathogens, antigens and carinogens. The body recognized these nutrients and adapts them to protect and strengthen the immune system. The berry allows blood/brain barrier transmission while strengthening cell membranes.
All cell membranes need to protect against the unwanted entrance of pathogens. The berry strengthens the nervous system. From the brain to the smallest nerve ending, this physiological (electrical) process needs energy for proper synaptic responses that quality food delivers.
The berry provides essential oils. Oils are an array of incredibly small particles that bind with other nutrients and transport them through membranes. Our bodies would not work without them. They not only transport, but contain phytochemicals themselves.
Have you tried the acai berry? Please let us know what you think about it by leaving a comment below.
A native of Peru, Camu-camu, or Myciaria dubia, is a purple-skinned fruit with a diverse nutritional profile. It is essentially unknown in the Uantioxidant-fruits.comted States, but is held in high esteem in Japan. The Japanese believe it improves mood, fights depression and increases energy levels.
In 2005, researchers in Brazil discovered that the superfruit has a lot of antioxidant powers – many of which reduce a variety of diseases linked to the aging process.
Passion Fruit – Granadilla, Purple Granadilla, Yellow Passion Fruit
Passion fruit comes in a couple of different varieties.
Passion fruit is one of the few antioxidant fruits that not only improves your physical health, but also your mental health. Native to areas ranging form southern Brazil, Paraguay, all the way to Argentina, this fruit can be used in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and even sleep disorders like insomnia. Passion fruit comes in two varieties. One is a dark purple color once it has reached maturity and has a less acidic, richer taste. The other turns yellow at maturity and is typically large than the purple kind. Unlike the purple passion fruit, the yellow passion fruit does not have a known origin, although people have speculated that it may be Brazil.
Passion Fruit, Granadilla, Purple Granadilla
Passion fruit goes by many names, its scientific one being Passiflora edulis for the purple fruit and Passiflora edulis flavicarpa for the yellow, while another common name is Granadilla (or Purple Granadilla). Purple passion fruit is a subtropical fruit that will only flower and fruit in altitudes above 3,200 ft. Yellow passion fruit is tropical and can be grown from just above sea level up to the altitude of 2,000 ft. It is interesting that these varieties of passion fruit differ to such a degree. The people of Brazil tend to use the purple fruit to eat raw, while they prefer the yellow fruit for juice extractions and the creation of preserves. Australians absolutely love the purple passion fruit and vastly favor it over the yellow for all preparations.
Passion Fruit to Improve Mental Health
The flowers of the passion fruit vine have been used traditionally in folk medicine as a calming agent, usually for the purpose of helping someone fall asleep. Researchers who published a study in “Phytotherapy Research” were able to find that the flowers had a depressant effect on the nonspecific central nervous system. Another study in “Anesthesia and Analgesia” tested whether the flower could be used to effectively treat anxiety in patients about to undergo surgery. The results were positive – that passion fruit flower can reduce anxiety without necessarily causing sedation.
While passion fruit and its flowers (and even its vine) can have positive effects on your mental health, it is worthwhile to make sure this plant doesn’t have any contraindications with the medicine you’re on. If you’re taking medication regularly, check with your doctor that it’s safe for you to try passion fruit flower before doing it. Better safe than sorry!
Physical Health Benefits
The yellow passion fruit, also known as the maracuya, has traditional medicinal uses as well. Similar to cranberries, its juice can be used to treat urinary tract infections. Passion fruit has also shown potential in treating asthma, thanks in part to its vitamin C and potassium content (although that’s not the only reason). Passion fruit is one of the vitamin, mineral, and fiber rich fruits when it comes down to it. Currently, there is research being done to establish whether passion fruit can fight chronic inflammation. If so, this is just one more benefit to add to the ever-expanding list.
Yellow Passion Fruit, or “maracuyá”
Yellow Passion Fruit, or “maracuyá”
Traditional medicine uses it for urinary tract infections, much like the cranberry. The Vitamin C, potassium and other relaxing agents in this fruit, may help with asthma or spasmodic coughing conditions.
The nutritional benefits of are:
Vitamins
Minerals
Fiber
It can help with:
Urinary Tract Infection
Anxiety
Insomnia
Asthma
Studies suggest that the Fruit can fight chronic inflammation, which is increasingly being linked to more diseases.
The Apricot is a species of Prunus, classified with the plum.
When people talk about antioxidant fruits, they generally tend to discuss fruits like the apple, the blackberry, and the acai fruit. However, the fruit, which is often overlooked by most people, is an unbelievably great source of antioxidants. Let?s take a look at this wonder fruit now.
They are very rich in minerals. Consuming it regularly can reduce the risks of anemia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, and toxemia.
They can be consumed regularly even if you are dieting, as they are very low in calories and have no fat at all. By eating just three of them, you consume just 50 calories. Photo by Sudip Guharoy
They are very rich in vitamin A. Eating two or three of them can supply up to 50% of daily value for your body. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant and can help you improve your vision and stay away from eye problems like cataracts and macular degeneration. It also fights the free radicals in the skin and keeps it young and free from skin problems.
They are very rich in dietary fiber. They can improve your digestion and help you stay away from constipation. In fact, the dried fruit is an excellent natural remedy to constipation.
Regular consumption of the fruit can help you get rid of intestinal worms and gallstones.
They are a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, and iron. Adding them to your diet every day can help boost your immune system. A regular intake of the fruit also reduces the risk of heart disease considerably.
They are one of the richest sources of lycopene, a highly effective carotenoid. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and can help you stay away from prostate cancer. Studies show that people who consume the fruit regularly are 80% less likely to get affected by prostate cancer. In short ? a glass of fresh the juice could be the most effective antioxidant fruit drink you can ever drink.
Based on their nutritional value, they are considered an excellent health food according to the World?s Healthiest Food Rating.
While the fresh fruit are available only during their season, the dried version are available throughout the year. A can of the dried fruit is the healthiest snack food you can eat. So, eat one regularly and stay healthy.
The velvety-orange skin fruit is known for its antioxidant properties and contain high amounts of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. These nutrients contribute overall to the health and protection of the heart and eyes.
Some nutritional benefits are:
Beta-carotene
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Potassium
Fiber
It can help with:
Eye problems
Heart Disease
Stroke
In 2005, a study done by researchers in Spain was published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, identifying the antioxidant compounds in the fruit, including cyanidin-3-glucoside.
Banana – Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Bananas
Ever wondered why bananas are one of the most popular fruits out there? It’s rare to go into a supermarket’s fruit section and not see a display dedicated specifically to them. This is because not only are they delicious, but they’re also extremely healthy while being one of the many fiber rich fruits out there.
Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, vitamins B6 and C, and magnesium. What’s not to love about them? A diet high in bananas keeps you from bruising as easily thanks to the potassium content. This combination of vitamins and minerals is hard to ignore. The nutrition facts of bananas are simply outstanding and can help with a multitude of physical problems. Here’s a list of the issues that can be fixed by increasing your daily intake of these antioxidant fruits:
Anemia: Thanks to bananas’ iron content; they are able to stimulate the production of hemoglobin in your blood, which is incredibly helpful to those with iron-deficiency anemia. This is preferable to taking large doses of iron supplements regularly.
Blood Pressure: The fact that bananas are high in potassium while low in salt make them great for dealing with blood pressure issues. Because they are so efficient at this, the FDA has approved these claims so that producers of bananas can officially market their product using this information!
Constipation: Why take laxatives when you can eat a fruit that has a high fiber content? Bowel problems don’t stand a chance when you involve bananas in your diet.
Hangovers: In combination with honey, bananas can be made into a milkshake that soothes the stomach, builds up blood sugar levels (which are often depleted as a result of drinking), and re-hydrates you after a rough night.
Heartburn: Bananas are natural antacids so you can eat some when heartburn becomes a real problem.
Morning Sickness: Keeping blood sugar levels up reduces morning sickness while supplying nutrients to you and your baby.
Mosquito Bites: You can rub the inside of a banana peel against your mosquito bites to reduce swelling and irritation. Banana peels are usually thrown away, so this is a good way to get some use out of them so you don’t have to buy special lotions for your insect bites.
Ulcers: Bananas are able to neutralize the acids in your stomach, which is particularly helpful when dealing with ulcers. Other fruits are so acidic that they tend to make the problem worse. Eating bananas can actually reduce irritation because they coat the lining of your stomach while neutralizing it.
Temperature Control: Cultures around the world have relied on bananas to reduce body temperature in expectant mothers.
Smoking: Bananas, due to their vitamins B6 and B12 and minerals potassium and magnesium, help the body when dealing with nicotine withdrawal, which can have rather unpleasant effects on smokers who are trying to quit.
Strokes: The New England Journal of Medicine has published studies saying that eating bananas regularly reduces your chance of stroke by a whopping 40%.
Warts: The inside of a banana peel, when placed on a wart and taped there for a while, can help to get rid of pesky warts. This beats using the freezing or drying out methods of most medications.
Mental Health Benefits of Bananas
Bananas also do a lot of good for your mental health. The tryptophan in bananas can make sufferers of depression feel better, as well as those with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Daily intake of bananas increases brain power, while the high vitamin B content of them reduces anxiety. People who are stressed tend to deal with a drop in potassium. This can be remedied by eating more bananas because they are high in the mineral. When you look at bananas’ nutrition data, it’s hard not to consider them a superfruit!
Thinking about cooking with one? You can always check out www.antioxidant-fruits.com’s Fruit Recipe Page to find unique recipes of specific fruits found on this site.
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Do you have an old favorite that you’d like to submit to Antioxidant-fruits.com? They contain three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. This great fruit gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy
Unripe green version (right) by Alex Skelly
