Phytochemicals in Fruit and Vegetable Juice By Juliet White At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Phytochemicals are natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables. They are essential elements to health and help the body fight disease. They can slow the aging process and protect you from high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, many forms of cancer, and a whole host of other illnesses. The word Phyto comes from the Greek and means "plant." Phytochemicals are most prevalent in colorful fruits and vegetables, including grapefruit, carrots, green leafy vegetables, and wheatgrass. Fresh fruit and vegetable juice is an easy, economical way to get your daily phytochemicals.

It is recommended that people eat five to nine servings of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. This ensures your body receives the nutrients and phytochemicals it needs to stay healthy. But it can be difficult to keep up with this kind of regimen, finding the time to prepare and eat all of this produce. A high-quality juicer is an excellent alternative, saving time and extracting the highest levels of phytochemicals possible.

Phytochemicals have many functions in the body. They stimulate the immune system, they work as antioxidants, they regulate the hormonal system, and they work as antiviral and antibacterial compounds. Certain phytochemicals found in apples, cherries and broccoli have been shown to act as anti-inflammatories, and others found in raspberries and kiwis are known to decrease cholesterol.

It is common for some people to take multivitamins to augment their nutrition. But studies have shown that fresh fruits and vegetables are better at supplying the body with the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals it requires for healthy functioning. A single serving of some vegetables contain greater than 100 important phytochemicals. Vitamin supplements often provide only one or two.

Some of the most important phytochemicals found in fresh juice are carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lycopene, and the flavonoids. Many people know that carrot juice is an excellent source of beta-carotene, a carotenoid useful in fighting cancer, diabetes, and lung problems. But beta-carotene can also be found in high amounts in mangoes, spinach, and wheat grass. Lycopene, known to increase resistance to prostate cancer and heart disease, is found abundantly in tomato and red grapefruit juice.

Flavonoids act as antioxidants, which are extremely important in the inactivation of cell-damaging free radicals. One flavanoid, tangeritin, is found in the juice of citrus fruits and is known to protect against head and neck cancers. Quercetins are another flavanoid that mitigate the disease-causing properties of cigarette smoke. These flavonoids are found in cherry juice, grape juice, and the juice squeezed from fresh green vegetables.

The key to taking in the greatest number of phytochemicals is to take in the greatest variety of plants that contain these substances. A diet that is rich and varied in vegetables and fruits will give you the best chance for excellent health. Remember, five to nine servings of fresh produce is recommended each day.

There are many excellent juicers on the market that will extract fresh, healthy juice from fruits and vegetables. These juicers produce phytochemical-rich juice conveniently and economically. They work on principles of low-impact juicing, protecting produce from overworking and ensuring that vitamins and phytochemicals are not destroyed by heat or friction. Fresh juice is the best source of the disease-fighting compounds known as phytochemicals.

To learn more about Phytochemicals or and the many other nutrients found in fruit and vegetable juice or to purchase a masticating juicer feel free to contact us.

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