Health, fitness and Diet informations » Blueberries http://www.2acai.com Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:57:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Eating Well By Color http://www.2acai.com/eating-well-by-color.html http://www.2acai.com/eating-well-by-color.html#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:01:44 +0000 admin http://www.2acai.com/?p=29
In the last couple of decades, scientists have discovered more reasons (beyond vitamins and fiber) to pack your diet with fruits and vegetables: phytochemicals. All plants contain these compounds, which protect them from a variety of dangers—from harmful UV rays to predatory pests. We take in phytochemicals when we eat fruits and vegetables and, as it turns out, they protect us too. Some act as antioxidants, mopping up unstable “free radical” molecules that can damage cells and lead to the development of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other health issues. Others work by boosting the immune system.
 
What’s fascinating is that nature seems to have a way of highlighting these beneficial nutrients by giving them bright colors that allow you to spot them at a glance. For example, anthocyanins make blueberries blue and may help to keep your mind sharp. Tomatoes get their ruby hue from lycopene, a phytochemical that may help to prevent prostate cancer. To get the maximum disease-fighting power that phytochemicals can provide, choose foods that represent all colors of the rainbow. The USDA suggests paying particular attention to orange (2 cups per week) and dark green (3 cups per week) produce, both good sources of vitamin A and other important nutrients. Use our vibrant color wheel to inspire you.
Red
Red foods, such as tomatoes and watermelon, contain lycopene, a phytochemical that may help protect against prostate and breast cancers.
 
  • Guava
  • Pink grapefruit
  • Red peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon
Orange
Alpha and beta carotene make foods like carrots and sweet potatoes so brilliantly orange. The body converts these compounds into the active form of vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes, bones and immune system healthy. These phytochemicals also operate as antioxidants, sweeping up disease-promoting free radicals.
 
  • Apricots
  • Cantaloupe
  • Carrots
  • Mango
  • Oranges
  • Papaya
  • Pumpkin
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tangerines
  • Winter squash

 

]]> http://www.2acai.com/eating-well-by-color.html/feed 0 Fight aging with antioxidants http://www.2acai.com/fight-aging-with-antioxidants.html http://www.2acai.com/fight-aging-with-antioxidants.html#comments Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:48:08 +0000 admin http://www.2acai.com/?p=24 The old phrase ‘aging gracefully” has taken a new meaning these days. With so much research showing that foods that are high in antioxidants will actually reduce or even stop the aging process, we all want to stay young, and now we can! The first sign of a wrinkle around your smile, or the drooping of your eyelids can make even the most secure person cringe. If you are living a lifestyle of a younger person, you want to appear younger as well.

Exercise is an important part of staying in shape and keeping your body young and fit, but it is not enough. The antioxidants in foods that we include in our diets are the real staples to remaining young.

What Foods are Highest in Antioxidants?

The Acai berry that is found in the Amazon is the highest antioxidant food that has been found. The research on this little purple berry has been astounding and the affects that is has on the aging process unbelievable. Natives have been using the Acai berry for centuries for its healing abilities; the United States has just recently discovered the benefits of the Acai berry and is marketing it across the country for its ability to turn back time.

The Acai berry can be found in pill form or powder form and in some instances you will find it being distributed in health drinks as well. If you are not planning on taking a trip to the Amazon rain forest anytime soon and prefer to get your nutrients from food rather than a vitamin or powder substance, there are many other foods that are high in antioxidants:

Raw nuts, grains, and legume contain vitamin E that will increase the antioxidants in your body. Vegetables like beets, eggplant, and rhubarb are very high in antioxidants. Fruits such as blueberries, apples, and mangos also have a very high antioxidant value.

What Are The Benefits to Antioxidants?

As well as reversing or slowing down the aging process, antioxidants are beneficial to your overall health. Antioxidants are used to fight cancer, heart disease, and many other fatal diseases. Your body is cleansed of the toxins and restored with nutrients that it needs to stay strong. The antioxidants remove toxins from your skin and hair making it younger and healthier looking, it can also prevent the aging process from sneaking up on you when you least expect it.

The largest benefit to the antioxidants in the foods mentioned above and in many others is the simple f act that you only have to enjoy the sweetness they offer and they will do the rest. Adding fresh blueberries to the top of your pancakes in the morning always tasted good, but now it has been proven it can help keep you young and healthy.

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