Sugar Blossom

Unleash the Phytonutrient & Antioxidant Power in Veggies & Fruits

The human body constantly produces unstable molecules called oxidants, also known as free radicals. To become stable, oxidants borrow electrons from other nearby molecules. In the process, oxidants can cause damage to cell proteins and genetic materials (DNA and RNA), leaving cells vulnerable to cancer and inflammation.

We all aware that veggies & fruits are coming from the plantae kingdom of plants, contain various number of natural vitamins and minerals (including iron and calcium). Plants also contain special compounds called phytochemicals or phytonutrients. There are so many of these kind compounds – that scientists still haven’t been able to identified all of them nor their exact health benefits – but lately some scientists found some special phytonutrients benefits related with the human capability to prevent cancer and inflammation.

A large number of phytonutrients have antioxidant qualities, so they help prevent oxidative damage in your body that can cause long-term & serious kind of illness. Antioxidants could also protect our body against premature aging (caused by stress, pollution, smoking habit, alcoholism & drugs – which enhanced the free radical effect).

Flavonoids with potent antioxidant properties are found abundantly in tomato, cocoa beans, grape, tea, cranberries, peanuts, strawberries, apples, and many other fruits and veggies. The general formula is: the darker the color, the greater phytonutrient & antioxidant contained in them. It is also recommended by nutritionist to consume various colors of fruit & veggies in our daily diet. With the right amount of serving size - the more colorful fruits & veggies in your plate - the better.

THE REDS
The most powerful phytonutrient & antioxidant could be found in Tomato: a lutein & a lycopene. The Lutein which could be found in a fresh tomato - but higher lutein found in cooked tomato products (like tomato sauce and paste) – could lower the risk of prostate cancer in men. While the Lycopene as the highest antioxidant among all other kind – could lower the risk of a heat attack & cancer.

THE PURPLES
Resveratrol in the other hand - is contained in red wine due to the red Grape skin included in the wine-making-process. The resveratrol could relieved a lung disease & ashtma. Blueberries, plum, eggplant, cranberries contained elagic-acid which could lower cancer risk, enhance eyesight & prevent anti-aging. Cranberries also known as the biggest antioxidant punch fruit.

THE WHITES
Alliin and Allicin could be found in Onions is able to prevent tumor & cancer; while Peach, banana, cauliflower, white mushroom contains a special flavonoid which , however could lower heart attack risk and strokes. These compounds appear to work best synergistically, meaning that consuming them together naturally in foods is preferable.

THE CHOCOLATES
Flavonols in dark chocolate – which is made from Cocoa beans (yummy!) in the other hand, have been shown to prevent fatlike substances in the blood stream from oxidizing and clogging the arteries, acting similarly to low-dose aspirin in promoting healthy blood flow and a lesser risk of strokes and heart attacks. A typical cup of hot cocoa (with two tablespoons of pure cocoa powder) contains twice the flavonols as red wine, two to three times more than green tea, and five times as much as black tea. So, it would not be a torturous suggestion of course - to eat more dark chocolate (in moderation) or drink hot cocoa for your heart health – it’s only going to give you a side effect of happiness, coz your brain being flooded by serotonin – a happy hormone J.

THE GREENS
Alpha-lipoic acid is also a strong, free-radical scavenger that has clearly been identified as the most effective natural treatment for diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), and it may also reverse memory dysfunction in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Together with folic acid, lutein & xeantanin, alpha-lipoic acid mostly exist in all green veggies & fruits could prevent cataract, blindness, lower heart risks, prevent cancer & anemia (Go Greens!). So, try to consume more greens such as: spinach (raw or cooked), broccoli, green peas, and brussel sprouts, etc. While the Isothiocyanates - which could be found in Cabbage families could also prevent cancer.
Tea is the most common drink worldwide, so it’s fortuitous that it carries with it a lower risk of colon and rectal cancers and heart diseases. Both green and black varieties contain a catechin, but green tea contains more antioxidants than black due to differences in their processing. Black tea is produced by allowing the tea leaves to ferment and oxidize, but the green variety is less processed and unoxidized. Steep your tea for at least five minutes in hot water to fully release its catechins. Don’t rely on instant iced tea, though, as it contains only negligible amounts of these antioxidants.

So, start consuming plenty more of colorful veggies & fruit, either it’s a dark-green-leafy-veggies, legumes, whole grains, nuts and various fresh colorful juices - to guarantee vitamin and mineral adequacy & to fill your body with phytonutrients benefits for your health!.