Disease-fighting Fruits

Fruits are known for their many health benefits, which is one of the main reasons that it is suggested that everyone has at least three to five servings of fruit each day. It's been shown that in more recent studies that at least five servings of fruit is ideal and can make drastic differences in a patient's health.

Although all fruits have health benefits and contain essential nutrients, some fruits are especially helpful in preventing disease or illness. Some of these fruits include citrus fruits and pomegranates. Citrus fruits are high in antioxidants, as well as other nutrients that can help prevent disease and illness. Pomegranates, which are also particularly high in antioxidants, can help to prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Disease-fighting Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C works more quickly than other antioxidants, such as vitamin E and carotenoids. Citrus fruits also contain a type of fiber called pectin, which can help to remove cholesterol from the body. Pectin has also been shown to help fight cancer and can slow the growth of cancer cells by helping to reduce the inflammation.

Although all citrus fruits can be beneficial, lemons and limes also contain their own special compounds. These compounds are known as limonene and limonin, and can help to increase the activity of a certain protein that is tied to breast cancer. Oranges also have their own compound known as hesperidin, which can help to increase good cholesterol and lower bad cholesterol.

Disease-fighting Pomegranates

Pomegranates contain many compounds that can help the body to help prevent many types of cancer, as well as heart disease. Pomegranates can also help to reduce the severity of symptoms during menopause, and has many other health benefits as well. They contain what are known as polyphenols, which are a class of antioxidants that are found in tea, chocolate and coffee, and are often suggested by health professionals to help lower cholesterol and help to prevent heart disease.

Although these fruits are very helpful in preventing certain types of disease or illness, they should only be used along with a proper diet. These fruits should not be used to replace any other dietary nutrients and can not prevent disease or illness on their own.

Sources:

Duke, James. The Green Pharmacy Guide to Healing Foods: Proven Natural Remedies to Treat and Prevent More Than 80 Common Health Concerns Rodale Books.

Murray, Michael & Pizzorno, Joseph & Pizzorno, Lara. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods Atria.