Healing Powers of Fruits & Veggies… ( Part 3)
23 12 2011Blueberries owe their deep, blue color to a class of phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Like lycopene, anthocyanins have potent antioxidants power, but they are also true workhorses when it comes to fighting inflammation. Science is now telling us that excessive inflammation plays a major role in the development of a board range of diseases, including heart attacks, some cancers, Alzheimer’s, autoimmune disease, and allergic conditions. When you regularly consume blueberries, along with other anthocyanins rich foods, like cherries, blackberries, and raspberries, you are infusing your body with a forceful weapon against some of the most common and deadliest illnesses known to man.
Broccoli is teaming witj sulforaphane, one of the most powerful known anti-cancer phytochemicals. Like lycopene and anthocyanins, this phytochemicals star is also a potent antioxidants. Its special anti-cancer powers, though, are largely due to its ability to boost the body’s detoxifying enzymes systems. Fortunately, our systems possess a remarkable class of chemicals called phase 2 enzymes. Phrase 2 enzymes rid the body of carcinogens and other toxic agents. This innate system is one of the body’s primary defenses against carcinogens, and it protects us from many forms of cancer to include those of the breast, lung, and colon. Eating your broccoli, along with its cruciferous cousins, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and collards all of which contains similar phytochemicals will send your detoxifying, cancer-protective enzyme systems into overdrive.
Nature’s storehouse is filled with delicious fruits and vegetables of almost every color and texture. From the deep blue- purple of blueberries, to blackberries, to the bright orange-yellow of tangerines and bell peppers, the more colorful the food, the more packed with nutrients it is. Eat from the entire spectrum to take advantage of the ten of thousands of beneficial compounds these foods offer. When it comes to phytochemicals, you want the entire army, not just a lone soldier. Have a little bit of every color, blue, red, green and yellow each day and every day. Remember, color means health: the deeper and richer the color, the more phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals present in the food.
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