Fruit – Page 3 – Juice Health Benefits & Recipes

19 Mar

Best Mangoes For Mango Juice And How To Choose Them

Making fresh fruit juice at home allows you to maximize the benefits of drinking fresh fruit juice without being subject to extra sugar and preservatives. Tropical fruits, like mangoes provide you with a fresh way to wake up or are perfect for a sweet, summery juice cocktail. Mangoes are also an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium.

Types of Mangoes

Most of the mangoes available in United States grocery stores and produce markets fall into one of six categories. Of the six most common types of mangoes, four kinds are recommended for juicing. The best mangoes for juicing include Francis, Ataulfo, Keitt and Kent mangoes. Other mangoes may feature flesh pock-marked with fibers making them difficult to juice. Always just a high quality juicer when working with mangoes.

Francis mangoes are characterized by a sweet and slightly spicy flavor. The Francis mangoes feature an oblong shape and a bright, yellow skin. Francis mangoes also feature green overtones that diminish as the fruit ripens. Francis mangoes most often come from Hati and are typically available May through July.

Ataulfo mangoes are identified by their small, oval shape and bright, yellow skin. As they ripen, the skin changes to a deep, gold color. Ataulfo mangoes are excellent for juicing based on their sweet, creamy flavor and smooth, firm texture. Hailing from Mexico, Ataulfo mangoes are available from March to July.

One of the best mangoes for juicing is the Keitt mango, also known as the Asian mango. The Keitt mango features light, sweet flavor and juicy, firm flesh with few fibers. Keitt mangoes feature green to dark green skin that remains this color even as they ripen.

Kent mangoes, like the Keitt variety, sports a green skin. As they ripen, Kent mangoes develop a yellow dots or undertones. According to the National Mango Board, Kent mangoes are the best mangoes for juicing. They feature a sweet taste and a smooth flesh with very few fibers.

Selecting A Mango

Unlike some fruits, color is not the most important indicator of a ripe mango. To select a ripe, ready-to-juice mango, pick up the fruit and squeeze it gently. A ripe mango will give slightly, indicating the fruit is ready to consume. As they continue to ripen, mangoes often begin to feel soft in a similar fashion to peaches and avocados. You may also want to give your mango a big sniff. Ripe mangoes omit a fragrant, fruity smell from the stem-end as they ripen. Always be sure to peel your mango and remove the inner pit before adding the fruit to the juicer.

Resources:
National Mango Board: How to Choose a Mango http://www.mango.org/retail/how-choose-mango
National Mango Board: Varieties and Availability http://www.mango.org/varieties-and-availability

16 Feb

5 Health Benefits of Banana Juice

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just have a healthier diet, banana juice has many health benefits that will get you to your goal. Bananas are often called a perfect food, and there are many reasons for that. Bananas are packed with vitamins and low in fat. While the health benefits of bananas could fill a list 20 pages long, here are five major health benefits to choosing banana juice the next time you’re thirsty.

Heart Health

Bananas are both high in potassium and low in salt, which makes them a power food for people concerned about heart disease or their blood pressure. Potassium is an important part of a healthy heart, and low levels have been linked to heart disease. Since most Americans aren’t getting their recommended daily amount of potassium, it puts them at risk for heart problems. One medium banana provides about 10% of the potassium you need in a day, so drinking banana juice a few times a day can help you hit your daily goal of 4 grams of potassium a day. In fact, the USDA feels so strongly about the connection between bananas and a healthy heart that they endorse bananas as a heart healthy food.

Mood Elevation

There are a million causes of stress in your life, and it can leave you feeling sad or overwhelmed at times. Next time you feel this way, reach for a glass of banana juice. Bananas are a natural source of tryptophan, which helps the body produce serotonin. Serotonin calms you and even has a slight tranquilizing effect. Bananas also contain large amounts of vitamin B6, which regulates your mood and is an important vitamin to help your body convert tryptophan to serotonin. Since your body doesn’t make tryptophan on its own, it’s important to get it through your diet, and drinking a glass of banana juice is one of the most simple and delicious ways to do that.

Diet Assistance

The high fiber of bananas make banana juice a great choice for you if you’re trying to get more fiber in your diet, especially if you’re trying to reach a weight loss goal. One medium banana gives you 16% of the daily fiber you need. That’s around the same amount of fiber as is in a fiber supplement, without the chalky aftertaste. Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet, and helps you lose weight, since it keeps you feeling full longer. Banana juice can be an important part of your diet, whether you’re trying to get healthy or achieve a weight loss goal.

Stomach Cure-All

Another benefit of fiber is helping regulate your digestive system. Whether you’re suffering from constipation, diarrhea or just indigestion, banana juice can help get you feeling back to normal. Mothers have long known the benefits of bananas for sufferers of the stomach flu, as a part of the BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) diet. Bananas also help to regulate stomach acid, and can help with morning sickness, indigestion and even ulcers.

A Natural Energy Drink

Banana juice is a great source of natural sugars, which provide a quick pick me up, and the fiber content means a sustained energy boost. The protein in bananas helps your heart and muscles work during exertion, and there’s no fat in a banana. That makes banana juice a perfect drink before you work out or in any situation where you need energy that comes on quick, stays for a while, and leaves you feeling great.

With all the chemicals, additives and supplements out there designed to replace a healthy diet, it’s easy to ignore the most simple solutions. A glass of banana juice is a quick, easy, healthy answer to a lot of health problems. Even if you’re just looking for a delicious drink, banana juice together with it’s health benefits is one choice you can make that doesn’t have a downside.

14 Feb

Health Benefits of Lychee Juice

Though the lychee, a fruit from the soapberry family that is native to China and Southeast Asia, appears to be inedible due to its tough, spiny exterior, it actually harbors numerous proven health benefits once the outer shell is cracked open. Inside is a soft, supple white flesh that is home to many different vitamins and minerals that work to improve a person’s overall health.

Nutritional Benefits

The nutritional benefits of eating a lychee or drinking lychee juice are well documented, and start with its plentiful supply of Vitamin C. Each normal sized fruit or glass of juice contains 72 mg of Vitamin C, which meets or exceeds the daily amount recommended for adults all in one serving. Vitamin C is known to help bolster the immune system, and also helps heal wounds, repair scar tissue and form blood vessels essential to the body.

Calcium is another beneficial ingredient of lychee juice. A regular serving contains up to 5 mg of calcium, which is necessary to help build and maintain strong bones and other functions in the body. Other daily nutritional values satisfied by a serving of lychee juice include Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B6, which are necessary to normal function and energy in adults. A single serving of lychee juice also contains 171 mg of potassium, 31 mg of phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and selenium.

The juice of the lychee is also packed with dietary fiber, which helps promote heart health as well as aid in digestion. People are encouraged to have a minimum of 25 grams of fiber in their diet every day, and lychee juice contains as much fiber as an apple with even more taste. The juice is also totally free of artery-clogging cholesterol and is also low in both sodium and saturated fats. And, since a cup of lychee contains only about 120 calories, it is also a very healthy food for those watching their waistlines.

Medical Benefits

In addition to being packed full of essential nutrients, lychee juice is also used for a variety of medical applications. Many of these medical uses have been in place for thousands of years, ever since the fruit was originally used by those in the ancient Chinese culture. More recently, research published in 2006 in the “Journal of Nutrition” showed that the fruit’s high concentration of polyphenol, an antioxidant, gives it qualities that help protect a person from cardiovascular disease and different forms of cancer. In fact, the study showed that lychees rank only behind strawberries in concentration of polyphenol.

Lychee juice and the fruit itself have been used in Asia and beyond as alternative medical treatments for problems relating to digestion, pain relief and even in fighting the growth of cancer cells in the breasts and liver. Many also believe that lychee juice can help stop coughing and have positive effects on tumors and enlarged glands. The ancient Chinese also used the fruit and its juices to promote positive energy circulation in the body and promote general, overall well-being.

No matter how you consume it, whether in juice form or in fruit form, lychee is a wonderful fruit to have around. The taste is divine, the fruit is succulent and with all the added health benefits of lychee juice, there’s nothing to lose from indulging in lychee juice daily.

07 Feb

Which Fruit Has The Highest Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) – The Most Antioxidants?

Antioxidants

Mentioning antioxidants goes hand in hand with another frequently used term – free radicals. We have an interesting and in depth article on both free radicals and antioxidants if you follow these links so I won’t go much into details here. But I do urge you to read both articles to better understand what are antioxidants, what are free radicals, how do they interact and what consequences do they have on our bodies and our health.

But to sum it up in short – an antioxidant is a molecule that counteracts the process of oxidation in animal tissue. Free radical is a highly unstable molecule that is formed as a by-product of our body’s natural metabolism or as a result of environmental influences. Free radicals are thought to be the cause of degradation within our bodies. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals and stop cellular damage before it starts.

Which Fruit Has The Most Carbohydrates?

What Are Carbohydrates?

Simply put, carbohydrates are sugars and starches. These molecules are formed by atoms of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen and serve as a major source of food and energy for most living organisms. Carbohydrates are also the main structural component of individual cells, plants and arthropods. In most animals excess carbohydrates are stored as glycogen while plants store this energy as starch.

There are two main classes of carbohydrates, simple and complex. Simple carbohydrates include the sugars fructose, dextrose, sucrose and glucose. These sugars are found in everything from fruits to table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are found in cereals, fruits and vegetables, and breads. Another form of complex carbohydrate is fiber. Although not easily digestible itself, it aids in digestion and has been shown to lower cholesterol.

Simple And Complex carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates have either one or two sugars and complex have three or more. A lot of simple carbohydrates are absorbed more rapidly by the body and can result in a spike in blood sugar. This is most often the case with highly processed or refined sugars like candy, soda, and table sugar. Better sources of simple carbohydrates include milk products and fruit.

It usually takes the body longer to break down complex carbohydrates resulting in a more stable level of blood sugar. Nutritionally, the best sources of complex carbohydrates are fiber rich fruits and vegetables, legumes and whole grains. The grinding and milling process removes most of the beneficial fiber from grains, so whole grain breads and pastas are preferred sources of complex carbohydrates.

The body needs carbohydrates for optimal functioning. They not only provide fuel for physical activity, but also for proper organ functioning. The brain and nervous system are particularly dependent on carbohydrates for fuel. However, a diet too high in carbohydrates, especially those from highly processed foods can lead to obesity and diabetes, while too few can result in malnutrition and loss of energy. The key to good health is maintaining a healthy balance.

Which Fruit Has The Most Lycopene?

What is Lycopene?

Lycopene is a red, fat-soluble pigment from the carotenoid family that can be found in certain fruits and vegetables. Lycopene aids in photosynthesis by serving as a light-gathering pigment while protecting plants from some of the more toxic effects of oxygen and light. It is most commonly found in fruits and vegetables with a red or reddish color such as tomatoes, watermelon, red carrots and papayas. Interestingly enough, it is not found in strawberries or cherries despite the fact that both fruits are well-known for their deep red color. Unlike other carotenoids, lycopene has no vitamin A activity.

Lycopene in Our Body

The benefits of lycopene to the plants and microorganisms in which it is found are obvious, but the pigment can also be very beneficial for us as well. First of all, lycopene is a very powerful antioxidant, meaning that it neutralizes harmful free radicals that have been known to contribute to cardiovascular disease, cancer and age-related diseases such as macular degeneration. Studies have shown that a diet rich in lycopene or a regiment of lycopene supplements may be especially effective in preventing prostate, lung and stomach cancer. One study performed by Harvard found that men who ate at least two servings of tomato sauce a week were up to 36 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer than those who ate less than one serving per month. Like nearly all foods made from tomatoes, tomato sauce is of course high in lycopene.

Lycopene is said to be generally safe. There do seem to be some side effects of having too much lycopene in one’s system, the most significant of which seems to be the way in which it can interfere with chemotherapy or other cancer treatments. A high concentration of lycopene or other carotenoids can result in the substance acting as a free radical, which may contribute to lung cancer in smokers.

Which Fruit Has The Most Phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients play a part in everything from good eyesight to preventing cancer. They are an important part of good health. You can protect and improve your well-being by understanding what phytonutrients are and what they do to help us.

What are Phytonutrients?

Phytonutrients are organic components found in plants. Some good sources are fruits, vegetables, nuts and teas. There are a lot of different classes of phytonutrients including lignans, saponins and phenols. The ones most people are familiar with are carotenoids and flavonoids. Each class of phytonutrients offers different health benefits and has different plant sources they can be found in, so it is possible to eat a wide variety of them.

The Effects of Phytonutrients in Our Bodies

There is evidence that phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables can protect us from some forms of cancer and macular degeneration. They may work as antioxidants and destroy free radicals. Phytonutrients enhance cell communication and immune responses. They may also destroy cancer cells and repair DNA damage caused by exposure to smoke and other toxins. It is possible they can activate some of our enzyme systems and detoxify carcinogens as well.

Studies have shown that consuming fruits, teas, grains and vegetables with high levels of phytonutrients decreases the risk of strokes and prostate cancer. With heart disease, not only is the risk significantly lower from eating phytotnutrient-rich foods, so is the mortality rate associated with it. Other benefits include lowering cholesterol levels, protecting lung tissue and blocking tumor growth. Research suggests that even making small but consistent increases in the amount of phytonutrients we eat can make a difference in health. Overuse may trigger an allergic reaction in some people or have a mild effect such as a change in skin tone from beta carotene, but overall they are considered safe.

Which Fruit Has The Most Betaine?

What is Betaine?

In chemistry, a betaine is a general term meaning any neutral chemical compound. Betaine is a naturally occurring chemical found in the human body. It is also present in some foods. The most widely used betaine is a byproduct of processing sugar beets. This byproduct is found in many fruit juices and available as supplements. Betaines are absorbed by our bodies and help to protect our cells from the effects of many stressors.

Betaine in Our Bodies

Betaine is important to our bodies because it helps to prevent a build-up of homocysteine, an amino acid. Homocysteine can damage blood vessels and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, or circulatory problems. Betaine is therefore important in protecting the functions of the circulatory system.

People have also experienced better digestion with the addition of betaine to their diets. Betaine added to toothpaste has been shown to reduce mouth dryness. The addition of this supplement has been linked to better liver health.

Betaine, like most substances, can be found as allergic to some people. Signs of a serious allergic reaction may be headaches, dizziness, changes in mental state, vision changes and seizures. Less serious allergic reactions can include nausea, diarrhea, unusual body odor or taste in the mouth. You should seek the advice of a medical professional if you experience any of these symptoms. People who have high cholesterol should consult their doctors before adding betaine to their diets as it has been linked to increased cholesterol levels. It can also interfere with some medications used for the treatment of kidney disease.

There are many ways to increase betaine. You can get it in the form of a powder and mix it with many types of liquids. You can also find it naturally occurring in various food sources.

Health Benefits Of Fig Juice: Mother Nature’s Most Complete Nutrition Source

Figs are one of humankind’s most ancient food sources. They are a member of the mulberry family and originated in northern Asia Minor. Because people have been using the fig for so long, it’s possible that our body chemistries have co-adapted and attuned to the amazing variety of nutrients packed into these sweet and luscious fruits. That’s part of the reason that eating figs and drinking fig juice is one of the healthiest and best possible choices for providing our body with what it needs most.

Delivering the vitamin-mineral rich compound of the fig to your body by drinking it as a juice is an exceptional way to gain the nutrition load of this fruit. It’s also high in fiber, making it an excellent digestive regulator. Fig juice has a definite but gentle laxative effect.

Calcium and Potassium Content

Fig juice is especially beneficial for women because it has significant calcium and potassium content which helps build bone density, and this reduces the amount of dairy products people need to take in to get the natural calcium. The more dairy one replaces with low-fat fruits juices, such as fig juice, the less fat and cholesterol one takes in while still getting calcium.

Fig Juice As A Mild Sleep Aid

Fig juice is one of the best possible beverages you can drink in the evening, or even right before bed. It contains tryptophan which is one of the 20 basic amino acids, but which is also well known to be a natural sleep inducer. Tryptophan has proven so effective in aiding sleep, the substance has been isolated and concentrated for use in sleeping pills. But the good thing about getting tryptophan from fig juice is that you don’t get an unnaturally large dose as you do from pills. Rather, you get a gentle boost toward a restful night’s sleep. with no “sleeping pill hangover.” Combine this with the fact that fig juice has a mild laxative effect, you’ll not only sleep better, but wake up ready to easier more natural bowel movements – you be rested and energized for an active day!

Health Benefits Of Fig Juice Are Also A Result Of An Array Of Amazing Acids

The essential nutritional acid content of fig juice is nothing short of amazing. It contains gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, sryingic acid, catechin, epicatechin and rutin. Gallic acid is well known to have antifungal and antiviral properties and has been shown to have cytoxicity against cancer cells. Chlorogenic acid is a powerful antioxidant and releases glucose into the blood stream, which also naturally balances insulin levels, making this excellent for diabetics. Rutin is an acid that is sometimes called Vitamin P, although it is not technically a vitamin. This has been shown to improve blood circulation, have anti-inflammatory effects and may be able to prevent varicose veins because of its mild blood thinning actions.

Fig Juice Is A Natural Body Builder

Keep in mind that figs and fig juice is very rich in carbohydrates and natural sugars. If you are on a low-carb diet, fig juice may load a few more carbs than you want. On the other hand, a serving of fig juice has 250 kcals of energy. Those who drink fig juice tend to experience an immediate energy boost, and thus are prompted to exercise more and burn off more calories. You’ll get more carbs, but you’ll burn them off faster. The high glucose content of fig juice helps fuel the muscles during a workout routine. That, combined with the three grams of protein you get from a serving of fig juice, makes it perhaps one of the best natural workout, muscle building and body building natural foods. Forget all of those artificially concocted muscle building energy drinks designed for body builders and athletes – fig juice is the real deal straight from Mother Nature!

A Host Of Other Health Benefits Of Fig Juice

There are a variety of other benefits associated with fig juice. A short list is:

soother of bronchial passages,
reduces risk of breast cancer,
may be a complete cure for hemorrhoids,
natural regulator of blood pressure and more.

What Kind Of Fig Juice Should You Buy?

Because figs are natural to Mideast countries such as Turkey, India, Israel, and Arab countries, many people prefer to buy fig juice products imported from these sources. Strive to select only fig juice brands that are certified organic, and not produced with pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers. You don’t want to counter the natural healthy ingredients of fig juice by possibly getting traces of harmful chemicals with your product.

Making Your Own Homemade Fig Juice

Remember that you may also want to try your hand at making your own fig juice using a juicer, food processor or a blender. It’s easy to do, and your homemade fig juice will be the freshest of the fresh, contain fiber-rich pulp and a truckload of nutritional energy. Just browse our site and look for some fig juice recipes the will help you get all the health benefits of fig juice.

14 Dec

The Many Health Benefits of Blackberry Juice

Blackberries are not only delicious but they also offer a multitude of health benefits for the health conscious consumer. These small dark berries offer a variety of vitamins and nutrients that can help to boost your energy levels in addition to a host of other nutritional benefits. A great way to enjoy these benefits is by drinking blackberry juice. Health benefits of blackberry juice will set you on your way to improved health and increased vitality.

Blackberries make a thick, dark and savory juice that is almost wine like in flavor. Large quantities of berries are needed to make just a small amount of juice. In fact, it can take almost three and half pounds of berries to make up only a quart of blackberry juice. The juice can be watered down for a slightly less intense flavor. It can also be used in a variety of different ways such as in the making of black berry pies, preserves, smoothies, ice cream, lemonade and even liquors for a distinctive, tart and decadent flavoring. The health benefits of blackberry juice can best be received either through drinking the juice directly or eating the whole fruit.

Antioxidants

Blackberry juice has a variety of health benefits which can help to increase overall health. One of the main benefits of blackberry juice is its antioxidant properties which aid in fighting free radical cells which occur sporadically throughout the body. By preventing these free radicals from taking over and affecting otherwise healthy cells within the body, the antioxidant properties are able to aid in the prevention of potential cancer causing cells. Blackberry juice has one of the most powerful antioxidant properties among fruits.

Rich In Vitamin A and C, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous and Iron

In addition to its antioxidant benefits, black berry juice has a wealth of vitamins such as vitamins A and C. Blackberry juice is also rich in calcium, potassium, phosphorous and iron. The blackberry fruit has been used for thousands of years for daily ailments as well as several illnesses which can occurr in the body. Some of the ailments for which blackberry juice has been used include whooping cough, stomach illnesses, ulcers, gout, diarrhea, nausea, venom bites and sore throat. Black berries have also been used to help bring down a fever and treat bowel problems. This is an excellent juice to drink during the colder months when colds and flus are common. Its antioxidant properties combined with its health benefits for sore throats and fever make this juice an effective natural remedy.

Anthocyanin and Ellagic Acid

Blackberry juice has an almost endless list of beneficial properties. Its health boosting effects have been used in treating many ailments as well as preventing new ones from occurring. Blackberries are high in a pigment called anthocyanin and ellagic acid which are powerful antioxidants that help to fight toxicity in the body and prevent cancer and other diseases.

Phytoestrogen

Blackberries also have a high amount of plant estrogen which is called phytoestrogen. This compound is known to play an integral role in the prevention of cervical cancer as well as breast cancer.

Blackberry Juice And Premature Aging

Blackberry juice is a powerful health promoting beverage which can even combat the signs of aging through its high antioxidant properties. The antioxidants in blackberries work to eliminate the toxic cells which damage DNA and lead to signs of premature aging. Blackberries also contain high levels of tannin which works to tighten tissue in the body.

Health Benefits of Blackberry Juice – Inflammations and Cholesterol

Blackberries help to combat hemorrhoids, diarrhea and reduce intestinal inflammations. The health benefits of blackberry juice also include the reduction of cholesterol. Salicylate which is found in blackberries is also the same substance added to aspirin which is known to combat heart disease and cholesterol. Blackberries also work to strengthen blood vessels, protect eyesight and combat heart disease.

The health benefits of blackberry juice are numerous and have a far reaching effect on the human body. Consuming this savory juice is one of the best things you can do for your body. Its medicinal properties have been used for thousands of years to treat illnesses and aid in the prevention of cancer causing cells. Blackberries are among the top ten fruits with strong antioxidant powers that have been well proven to aid the human body in a myriad of ways.

Types of Mangoes

Selecting A Mango

Heart Health

Mood Elevation

Diet Assistance

Stomach Cure-All

A Natural Energy Drink

Nutritional Benefits

Medical Benefits

Antioxidants

Top Fruits For Antioxidant Content

What Are Carbohydrates?

Simple And Complex carbohydrates

Top Fruits For Carbohydrates Content

What is Lycopene?

Lycopene in Our Body

Top Fruits For Lycopene Content

What are Phytonutrients?

The Effects of Phytonutrients in Our Bodies

Top Fruits For Phytonutrients Content

What is Betaine?

Betaine in Our Bodies

Top Fruits For Betaine Content

Calcium and Potassium Content

Fig Juice As A Mild Sleep Aid

Health Benefits Of Fig Juice Are Also A Result Of An Array Of Amazing Acids

Fig Juice Is A Natural Body Builder

A Host Of Other Health Benefits Of Fig Juice

What Kind Of Fig Juice Should You Buy?

Making Your Own Homemade Fig Juice

Antioxidants

Rich In Vitamin A and C, Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorous and Iron

Anthocyanin and Ellagic Acid

Phytoestrogen

Blackberry Juice And Premature Aging

Health Benefits of Blackberry Juice – Inflammations and Cholesterol