It is hard to believe but one of the ways to help prevent certain cancers relies on the compounds found in a number of plants that are known to have antioxidant properties. Many fruits and vegetables contain these compounds called ‘phytonutrients’, which have the beneficial effect of keeping us healthy by improving our immune system. More than 900 different phytonutrients have been found in plant foods already,huge advances in preventative health care and nutrition are advancing at an almost daily rate. Recent studies have indicated the phytonutrients found in fruit provide a whole host of natural health benefits,pomegranates for example, contain many different properties while blueberries have compounds which affect the aging process.

Blueberries are one of the top quality fruits containing plenty of antioxidants while maintaining lower sugar content then most other fruits. For many people eating fruit does not come easily but drinking the juice is much more pleasant and an efficient way to get the goodness from the fruit into our systems,many benefits have been found including an improvement in our circulatory system and an increase in our own ability to ward of illness. Although they help to prevent disease, the powerful antioxidants contained in these fruits can also help fight disease and infections as well. The old saying about an apple-a-day couldn’t be truer with evidence that they can help prevent the chance of heart conditions occurring.

You must not forget the citrus fruits either as they also contain effective phytochemicals. The combination of phytonutrients in cherries is proving to have properties that can help sufferers of joint pain and fibromyalgia. This extends to the vitamins B, C and E plus other minerals which have these properties which are already widely known and used. Phytoalexins, also antioxidants like resveratrol, are found in mulberries, blackberries and blueberries have special properties which prevent infection and viruses.

The benefits of these extend too many of the conditions which are found to be more prevalent as we age like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, blood pressure and stroke. Tomatoes too are able to help in the prevention of conditions like heart disease and some cancers. However, the use of concentrated tomatoes in the form of juice, sauces and puree can increase the intake level of this fruit dramatically. The sweet, juicy watermelon is actually packed with some of the most important in phytonutrients in nature. The health benefits of plants are still in the early stages but why wait to appreciate the benefits this whole range of fruits can bring.