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Some of the Vegetarian Foods and its Benefits  Fruits 
Apples  Apple is a small round fruit with crunchy flesh. This is one of the earliest fruits to have been cultivated. It comes in all shades of reds, greens, yellows.
Health Benefits The apple is a highly nutritive food. It contains minerals and vitamins in abundance. Apples are useful in kidney stones. The skin of apple should not be discarded when taking it in raw form as the skin and the flesh just below it contain more vitamin C than the inner flesh. Iron contained in the apple helps in formation of blood. Raw apples are good for constipation. Cooked or baked apples are good for diarrhea. Apples have been found useful in acute and chronic dysentery among children. Apples are of special value to heart patients. They are rich in potassium and phosphorus but low in sodium. It is also useful for patients of high blood pressure. Apple is also said to be beneficial to gout patients caused by increase of uric acid in blood.
The apple peel water is an excellent medicine for the inflamed eyes as an eye wash. The over-ripe apples are useful as a poultice for sore eyes. The pulp is applied over the closed eyes. Tooth-decay can be prevented by regular consumption of apples as they possess a mouth cleansing property. The apple is the best fruit to tone up a weak and run-down patient. It removes deficiencies of vital organs and makes the body stout and strong. It tones up the body and the brain as it contains more phosphorus and iron than any other fruit or vegetable. back to top
Apricot  Apricots are those beautifully orange colored fruits full of beta-carotene and fiber. Apricots are small, golden orange fruits, with velvety skin and flesh, not too juicy but definitely smooth and sweet. Some describe their flavor as almost musky, with a faint tartness that lies somewhere between a peach and a plum.
Healthy Benefits
Apricots contain nutrients that can help protect the heart and eyes, as well as provide the disease-fighting effects of fiber. The high beta-carotene and lycopene activity of apricots makes them important heart health foods. Both beta-carotene and lycopene protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which may help prevent heart disease. Apricots also contain nutrients such as vitamin A that promote good vision.
back to top Avocado  The avocado is colloquially known as the Alligator Pear, reflecting its shape and the leather-like appearance of its skin. Avocado is derived from the Aztec word "ahuacatl." Avocados are the fruit from the Persea Americana, a tall evergreen tree that can grow up to 65 feet in height. Avocados vary in weight from 8 ounces to 3 pounds depending upon the variety. The edible portion of the avocado is its yellow-green flesh, which has a luscious, buttery consistency and a subtle nutty flavor. The skin and pit are inedible.
Health Benefits
Avocados contain folate, potassium, monosaturated fats and are very high in fiber. The monosaturated fats in avocados contain oleic acid. It has been found to improve fat levels in the body and help control diabetes. By using avocados as their primary source of fat in the diet, diabetes sufferers can lower their triglycerides by up to 20%. In addition to being helpful to those with diabetes, the monosaturated fats in avocados are good for lowering cholesterol. A lowfat diet containing avocados has been shown to both lower levels of dangerous low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and raise the level of healthy high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, triglycerides were also lowered slightly.
Avocados are also a huge source of fiber, containing 10 grams in only one avocado. As we all know, fiber is known to help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain types of cancer, particularly colon cancer. Avocados also contain 30% more potassium than a banana. Potassium is beneficial to the body by lowering the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and cancer. In addition, avocados are the perfect food for pregnant women. The folate in one avocado per day provides almost 30% of the recommended daily dosage and helps prevent life threatening birth defects of the spine and brain. back to top
Banana  Bananas are long, thin tropical fruits with pliable skin and soft, creamy flesh. Yellow bananas are best eaten raw.
Health Benefits
Banana contians Vitamin B6 which is needed by people who feel weak, irritated easily and have difficulty in sleeping. It has potassium which regulates blood pressure and reduces chances of high blood pressure and stroke. Potassium enables muscles to contract and expand smoothly during exercises. It reduces cramps and also helps to rid fluid retention. Carbohydrate found in bananas contribute to the daily energy usage. Fiber in bananas help maintain healthy, regular bowel movements because they are easy to digest. Bananas can be used to substitute sweets and candies because they taste great. It helps people with sugar cravings. Not only chocolates, but bananas too have serotonin and norepinephrine that helps elevate depression. It naturally improves your mood.Banana is the best fruit to eat after a 4km jog. As the body loses vitamins and minerals, 2 bananas is enough to replace the nutrients lost as well as replenishing energy. Bananas are the best solid food to introduce to infants. The fact is bananas contain 0% fat, is easy to digest and is not allergenic. Bananas are a natural hit with kids because of it's taste. Moreover, children are growing all the time and they need the energy provided by bananas. back to top Blackberry  Blackberries are large blue to purplish black multiple fruits. The blackberry is the largest of the wild berries and, like their close relatives raspberries and strawberries, are actually clumps of individual fruits. They are oblong in shape and can grow up to 1 1/2 inches (4 cm) long. They are tart in flavor and contain prominent seeds. Blackberries are excellent for both cooking and out-of-hand eating.
Health Benefits Blackberries are a good low fat source of vitamin E and it helps to fight infection. It also contains salcylate, which is thought to lower the chance of heart risk. It also contains vitamin C, phenolic acids, folic acid, fiber, potassium, calcium and iron. Next to black raspberries and blueberries, blackberries have one of the highest levels of antioxidants, natural substances that slow the aging process and guard against cancer and heart disease. back to top Blueberry  Blueberries are the fruits of a shrub that belong to the heath family, which includes the cranberry and bilberry as well as the azalea, mountain laurel and rhododendron. Blueberries grow in clusters and range in size from that of a small pea to a marble. They are deep in color, ranging from blue to maroon to purple-black, and feature a white-gray waxy "bloom" that covers the surface serving as a protective coat. The skin surrounds a semi-transparent flesh that encases tiny seeds.
Health Benefits Because of the high antioxidant content, dietary fiber and other nutrients, blueberry is known to have great health benefits. Several researches indicate blueberry's potential anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. It may also delay or prevent onset of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as memory loss and Alzheimer's disease. Health benefits of blueberry may be explained by the capacity of its antioxidants to scavenge free-radicals which are causes for age-related human diseases. Blueberry also helps lower LDL cholesterol (a cause for stroke and cardiovascular heart disease), reduce the risk of urinary tract infection, and improve eye vision. back to top Cherry  Cherries are a very tasty and nutritious fruit. They contain many vitamins, minerals and compounds which have many health benefits.
Health Benefits Some studies have shown cherries are especially beneficial in fighting some cancers. They contain a number of anti-oxidants which help "mop up" free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules which cause damage to cells as the circulating molecule attacks other healthy cells. Damage to cells caused by free radicals have been shown to speed up the aging process. Although a good source of vitamins, they are not as high in vitamin C or vitamin A as fruits like strawberries or blackcurrants but its the presence of other antioxidants and compounds that are responsible for the many health benefits of cherries. Cherries contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Bioflavonoids, Ellagic acid, Perillyl anthocyanins and Melatonin. back to top Cranberry  Cranberry is a relatively small, red berry which grows on low-hanging vines in temperate zones in many regions of the United States and other parts of the world. Cranberry is a member of the same family of plants as bilberry and blueberry. Cranberry can be taken as a juice, the whole berry, or from an extract.
Health Benefits Cranberry improve the body's circulatory system. A daily glass of cranberry juice will treat diseases like cystitis. Cranberries provide relief for asthma patients. Condensed tannins in cranberries can inhibit the oxidation of bad cholesterol and as a result protects body against atheroscelrosis. Tannins are also considered an important contributor to a healthy heart. It acts as bactericide and affects the acidity of the urine. In effect, it disrupts the development of kidney stone formation. back to top
Coconut  Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning "nut-bearing." The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations. Known as the "tree of life," the wonderful fruit of the coconut palm is rich in specific fats that have incredible health benefits. Traditional tropical populations that consume a lot of coconut oil are seldom overweight, and traditionally have been free from the modern diseases that afflict most western cultures.
Health Benefits Coconut juice contains sugars, proteins, anti-oxidants and vitamins and minerals. Coconut has not only been used as a food source but also for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Coconut has anti-viral, anti-bacterial anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-fungal properties. Coconut supports the thyroid function, helps to protect against kidney disease and bladder infections and improves digestion and bowel function.
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Custard Apple  Custard apples or cherimoyas as they are also known are the natives of South America and the West Indies and can be seen growing on large shrubs on the slopes of the Andes mountains and also grown in parts of Asia. These heart shaped fruits, with their unusual skin that resembles scales, are rather ugly, at first.
Health Benefits This is one fruit that can be exceptionally useful for conditions like low blood pressure with its natural sugars and exceptional taste. Custard apples provide sugars that give sustained energy and do not over react the body's insulin output like processed sugars. Custard apples are a well-balanced food having protein, fibre, minerals, vitamins, energy and little fat. The Custard bark is very astringent and the decoction is taken as a tonic and also as a remedy for diarrhea and dysentery. The alkaloid-rich leaves as a general bracing tonic and also to treat a bunch of illnesses that include the common cold, fever, indigestion and various menstrual disorders. back to top Durian
 Durian is an expensive and exotic fruit from Asia and is referred to as "The king of all fruits". The name is derived from the Malay word "duri" meaning thorn - due to its thick, tough and thorny husk. The durian fruit is either loved by durian aficionados with an almost cult like fervor or hated by those repelled by it's smell. The rich, buttery smooth and luscious flesh of the durian fruit is delicious and is comparable to no other fruit.
Health Benefits Eating durian is good for the heath. It is a good source of energy (high calorie), carbohydrates, dietary fiber and protein. The durian fruit has no cholesterol. In folk medicine, the juice of the durian leaves is applied to the head on patients with fever. Boiling the leaves and roots in water (decoction) is also taken to lower the fever. Other benefits of Durian includes: - Depression
- Migraines
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Bulimia
- Parkinsons's Disease
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Nightmares
- Stress
- Suicidal Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Aggression
- Appetite (to curb the appetite)
- Pain
back to top Figs  Figs are not only the main ingredient in a very popular cookie, the fig bar, but are a culinary delicacy par excellence. Part of the wonder of the fig comes from its unique taste and texture. Figs are lusciously sweet and feature a complex texture that combines the chewiness of their flesh, the smoothness of their skin, and the crunchiness of their seeds. Figs range dramatically in color and subtly in texture depending upon the variety, of which there are more than one hundred and fifty.
Health Benefits Figs are used for their mild, laxative action, and are employed in the preparation of laxative confections and syrups, usually with senna and carminatives. It is considered that the laxative property resides in the saccharine juice of the fresh fruit and in the dried fruit is probably due to the indigestible seeds and skin. In internal use, Fig have been used to fight constipation, bronchitis and because of its edible properties. In external use, latex is applied on warts to get rid of them. Medicinal uses have included: nausea, headaches, fevers, toothache, blood tonic, gout, arthritis, digestive problems, constipation, nervousness, diarrhea, earache, fluid retention, whooping cough, asthma, burns, boils, abscesses, venereal diseases, stomach-ache and to benefit the pancreas, spleen and heart. back to top Grapefruit  The grapefruit is a large citrus fruit related to the orange, lemon and pomelo. Grapefruits are categorized as white (blond), pink or ruby. It is juicy, tart and tangy with an underlying sweetness that weaves throughout.
Health Benefits All citrus fruit are excellent sources of Vitamin C, which helps to maintain the body's defences. The flavonoid narigenin is found in grapefruit. It is thought to reduce the risk of some cancers. Grapefruit can improve blood circulation and lower blood cholesterol levels. back to top Grapes  Grapes are small round or oval berries that feature semi-translucent flesh encased by a smooth skin. Some contain edible seeds while others are seedless. Like blueberries, grapes are covered by a protective, whitish bloom.
Health Benefits Grapes are excellent sources of manganese and good sources of vitamin B6, thiamin (vitamin B1), potassium, and vitamin C. Both red and black grapes contain powerful antioxidants and resveratrol, which helps to prevent both the narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Ellagic acid, which has anti-cancer properties, is also contained in grapes. They do, however, have a very high sugar content.
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Guava  Guava is a tropical fruit that is like the shape of pear, with green rind and pinkish or white flesh and small seeds. It is said to be better than orange because guava contain more Vitamin C than orange and a lot cheaper than orange.
Health Benefits Guava has high nutraceutical values and a good source of vitamins, fibres and minerals. It has high amounts of Vitamin C compared to other fruits. Guava has a general haemostatic properties which treats bleeding nose, gums and minor internal haemorrhaging. It also treat male infertility (due to high Vitamin C content) caused by sperm clumping, adhesion and other abnormalities. It is an effective antioxidant because of the presence of Vitamin C and other phytonutrients such as caretenoids, isoffavonoids and polyphenols. Guave aids in preventing age related chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer's, cancer, cataracts, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. It also lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels due to the presence of complex carbohydrates (not rapidly digested) and dietary fibers (only partially digested by gut bacteria). back to top Jackfruit  Jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world. The interior consists of large edible bulbs of yellow, banana-flavored flesh that encloses a smooth, oval, light-brown seed. When fully ripe, the unopened jackfruit emits a strong disagreeable odor, resembling that of decayed onions, while the pulp of the opened fruit smells of pineapple and banana.
Health Benefits Jackfruit contains many vitamins and minerals, and offers numerous health benefits. The fruit's isoflavones, antioxidants, and phytonutrients mean that jackfruit has cancer-fighting properties. It is also known to help cure ulcers and indigestion. The jackfruit root is a remedy for skin diseases and asthma. An extract of the root is taken in cases of fever and diarrhea. back to top Kiwifruit  The kiwifruit is a little fruit holding great surprises. Inside of this small, oval-shaped fruit featuring brown fuzzy skin resides a brilliant, semi-translucent emerald green flesh speckled with a few concentrically arranged white veins and small black seeds. Its flesh is almost creamy in consistency with an invigorating taste reminiscent of a mixture of strawberries and bananas, yet with its own unique sweet flavor.
Health Benefits Kiwifruit is one of the world's most nutritious fruit and it provides an excellent source of vitamin C. It also offers a very good source of fiber. Kiwi contains decent amounts of vitamins A and E, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and copper. Kiwi, like other vitamin C-rich foods, is especially important in promoting respiratory tract health. Studies have shown that kiwi and citrus are also effective against
respiratory-related health problems including wheezing, shortness of breath, and high coughing. Kiwi is also rich in antioxidants and enzymes. back to top Lemon  Lemons, scientifically known as Citrus limon, are more commonly known as the fruit that evokes images of sunshine and the sweet smiles of children standing roadside at their homemade lemonade stands. Lemons are oval in shape and feature a yellow, texturized outer peel. Like other citrus fruits, their inner flesh is encased in segments, with the average lemon having eight to ten. While most lemons are tart, acidic and astringent, they are also surprisingly refreshing.
Health Benefits Lemon fruit is excellent in fighting disease that's related to infection. It acts as blood purifier and improves the body's ability to get rid of toxins. Lemons get rid of certain insects. It's mother nature's version of insecticides and will help to repel mosquitoes and flies. Lemons can be applied on cuts too since it is a nature's antiseptics. Not only that, because of its styptics property, it is said that lemon could be applied on cuts to stop bleeding. Drinking lemon juice is useful for people with heart problem - because of its high potassium content.
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Lime  Limes are a small citrus fruit whose skin and flesh are green in color and which have an oval or round shape with a diameter between one to two inches. Limes can either be sour or sweet. Sour limes possess a greater sugar and citric acid content than lemons and feature an acidic and tart taste, while sweet limes, which lack citric acid content, are sweet in flavor.
Health Benefits Limes are good for the relief of arthritis because they have such a high vitamin C content. They are especially good for anyone with acidemia, because they are one of the most alkalinizing foods. A drink of lime juice is a great cooler for the brain and nervous system. Limes can be used to treat brain fever, or someone who is mentally ill. They are good for a brain with a great deal of hot blood in it, which usually shows itself in anger, hatred, or other brain disturbances. Limes make a good sedative for those suffering from these afflictions. back to top Mango  Mango is one of the most important and widely cultivated fruits of the tropical world. Its form is oval, round, heart shaped, kidney shaped or long and slender. Some varieties are beautifully coloured with shades of red and yellow, while others are dull green. The single large seed is flattened, the flesh that surrounds it is yellow to orange in colour, juicy, sweet and of delicious spicy flavour.
Health Benefits Mangoes are full packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and contain like all fruits very few proteins, fats and calories. They are perfect to replenish salts, vitamins and energy after physical exercise. It is a mineral packed chemical free food that has amazing benefits for our health. The mango-milk cure is an ideal treatment for loss of weight. Mangoes are thought to help stop bleeding, to strengthen the heart, and to benefit the brain. Taking Mango regularly makes the complexion fair and the skin soft and shining. Feeding the powder of dried kernel of Mango seeds with fresh water cures the habit of eating soil in kinds. Dietary fiber has a protective effect against degenerative diseases, especially with regards to the heart; may help prevent certain types of cancer, as well as lowering blood cholesterol. back to top Mangosteen  The mangosteen is a tropical evergreen tree with tropical fruit and juicy flesh. The mangosteen fruit, known as the queen of fruits is 2-3 inch diameter. The outer purple-black skinned shell of the mangosteen fruit is hard. The snow-white, juicy, soft flesh pulp is segmented like an orange with 4 to 8 triangular segments. The mangosteen fruit is mild acidic, like that of a prune.
Health Benefits The mangosteen fruit is high in carbohydrates, fibers and iron but low in vitamins and minerals. Juice provides many benefits that will help improve the immune system and blood circulation, strengthen the body's ability to fight disease and infection due to its powerful antioxidants and healthy nutrients. Mangosteen extract is useful in the treatment of arthritis, acid dyspepsia, fibromylagia, moderate asthma, otitis externa and eczema. Latest findings indicate that mangosteen has - in addition to its antioxidant effects - antimicrobial actions that inhibit the progression of acne. Furthermore, it is highly effective against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a bacterium responsible for staph infections. back to top Nectarine  It is smooth-skinned peach which may be obtained from the seed of a peach or from peach by bud mutation. The smooth skin of the nectarine behaves as a recessive character to the pubescence of the peach. The nectarine possesses a distinctive pleasing flavour and the tree and fruit characteristics of the peach.
Health Benefits Nectarine is a rich source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene and potassium. It also contains minerals. This fruit is very useful in cases of bronchitis, anaemia, scurvy, rickets, low vitality and general debility. They are low in calories. The Nectarine leaves are astringent, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, parasiticide and mildly sedative. They are used internally in the treatment of gastritis, whooping cough, coughs and bronchitis. back to top Orange  Oranges are round citrus fruits with finely-textured skins that are, of course, orange in color just like their pulpy flesh; the skin can vary in thickness from very thin to very thick. Oranges usually range from approximately two to three inches in diameter.
Health Benefits Oranges are very full of Vitamin C but in addition to that there are other vitamins called citrus limonoids. These limonoids help fight certain cancers such as mouth, skin, lung, breast, and stomach and colon cancers in animals. Oranges are a great source of iron and they help keep your cholesterol low. Oranges are a good source of calcium that is great for your bones, with Vitamin C and milk as an extra and important source of Calcium can help protect your bones from breaking. As a great source of Vitamin C, oranges can help fight off bacteria and prevent colds and the flu. The Vitamin C is a great way to fight off airborne germs during the winter months. back to top Papaya  Papayas are spherical or pear-shaped fruits. Their flesh is a rich orange color with either yellow or pink hues. Papaya has a wonderfully soft, butter-like consistency and a deliciously sweet, musky taste. Inside the inner cavity of the fruit are black, round seeds encased in a gelatinous-like substance. Papaya's seeds are edible, although their peppery flavor is somewhat bitter.
Health Benefits Papayas offer not only the luscious taste and sunlit color of the tropics, but are rich sources of antioxidant nutrients such as carotenes, vitamin C and flavonoids; the B vitamins, folate and pantothenic acid; and the minerals, potassium and magnesium; and fiber. Together, these nutrients promote the health of the cardiovascular system and also provide protection against colon cancer. In addition, papaya contains the digestive enzyme, papain, which is used like bromelain, a similar enzyme found in pineapple, to treat sports injuries, other causes of trauma, and allergies. back to top Peach  The peach is round in shape and has a velvety skin which can vary in colour depending on the variety; it is generally yellowish-red in colour. It has a sweet tasting flesh which is either yellow or whitish in colour.
Health Benefits
Peaches prevent constipation, combats cancer, helps stop strokes, aids digestion, helps hemorrhoids, boosts your immune system, peaches are diuretic, depurative and detoxifying. Peaches are wonderful to eat on a weight - loss program. Peaches are also high in vitamin A and C. Peaches are more than 80 percent water and are a good source of dietary fiber. This combination makes them a perfect remedy for constipation.
back to top Pear  Pears are members of the rose family and related to the apple and the quince. Pears generally have a large round bottom that tapers towards the top. Depending upon the variety, their paper-thin skins can either be yellow, green, brown, red or a combination of two or more of these colors. Like apples, pears have a core that features several seeds.
Health Benefits Pears provide a very good source of fiber and are also a good source of vitamin B2, C, E, copper, and potassium. They also contain a significant amount of pectin, which is a water soluble fiber. Pears are actually higher in pectin than apples. This makes them effective in helping to lower cholesterol levels and in toning the intestines. They are often recommended by health care practitioners as a hypoallergenic fruit that is high in fiber. They are less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits. Pears are often recommended as a safe fruit to introduce to infants. back to top Pineapple  Pineapples are a composite of many flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core. Each fruitlet can be identified by an "eye," the rough spiny marking on the pineapple's surface. Pineapples have a wide cylindrical shape, a scaly green, brown or yellow skin and a regal crown of spiny, blue-green leaves and fibrous yellow flesh. The area closer to the base of the fruit has more sugar content and therefore a sweeter taste and more tender texture.
Health Benefits Pineapple is aloaded with vitamins and minerals. Its nutrients include calcium, potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. In addition it is low in fat and cholesterol. The benefits of pineapple can be achieved through eating fresh, canned, or frozen pineapple or by drinking its juice. One of the benefits of pineapple is that it helps to build healthy bones. While many people often take extra vitamin C or drink extra orange juice when they have a cold, few consider eating pineapple. The benefits of pineapple when you have a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice, but there is an additional benefit of pineapple. Bromelain, which is found in pineapples, has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus. back to top Plums  Plums are classified into six general categories whose size, shape and colors vary. Although usually round, plums can also be oval or heart-shaped. The skins of plums can be red, purple, blue-black, red, green, yellow or amber, while their flesh comes in hues such as yellow, green and pink and orange-a virtual rainbow. Plums belong to the Prunus genus of plants and are relatives of the peach, nectarine and almond. They are all considered "drupes," fruits that have a hard stone pit surrounding their seeds. When plums are dried, they become the fruit we know as prunes.
Health Benefits The fresh plums and the dried version (prunes) of the plant scientifically known as Prunus domestica have been the subject of repeated health research for their high content of unique phytonutrients called neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid.
Plum contain a iron, vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed in the body to make healthy tissue and is also needed for a strong immune system. Getting a little extra vitamin C around cold and flu season is a good idea, and may also be helpful for people who suffer from recurrent ear infections. Plum is good for allaying thirst and is given in the treatment of arthritis. back to top Pomegranate  The Pomegranate is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub or small tree. The fruit is the size of a large orange obscurely six-sided with a smooth, leathery skin that ranges from brownish yellow to red; within it is divided into several chambers containing many thin, transparent vesicles or reddish juicy pulp each surrounding an angular and elongated seed.
Health Benefits Pomegranate fruits contain polyphenols, tannins and anthocyanins - all are beneficial antioxidants. Interestingly, pomegranate juice contains high levels of antioxidants - higher than most other fruit juices, red wine or green tea. back to top Strawberry  The strawberry, a fruit that features a fragrantly sweet flavor, is the most popular type of berry fruit in the world. There are more than 600 varieties of strawberries that differ in flavor, size and texture, one can usually identify a strawberry by its red flesh that has yellow seeds piercing its surface, and the small, regal, green leafy cap and stem that adorn its crown. In addition to strawberries that are cultivated, there are also varieties that grow wild. These are much smaller in size, but feature a more intense flavor.
Health Benefits Strawberries are packed with beneficial phytonutrients; they contain phenols which give strawberries antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties plus they protect the heart. Strawberries also contain vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, iodine, potassium, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, magnesium, and copper, these vitamins together with the phytonutrients make strawberries an excellent food include in the diet to protect against and reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), atherosclerosis, asthma, and cancer. back to top Watermelon  Watermelon is related to the cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin, other plants that also grow on vines on the ground. Watermelons can be round, oblong or spherical in shape and feature thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped. They range in size from a few pounds to upward of ninety pounds. While we often associate a deep red-pink color with watermelons, in fact there are varieties that feature orange, yellow, or white flesh. While most watermelons have seeds that are black, brown, white, green or yellow, a few varities are actually seedless.
Health Benefits Watermelon contains is 90% water, 50 calories, and vitamin C, has just a trace of fat without cholesterol.
Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis. Most benefit of watermelon is that it contains high levels of lycopene--an antioxidant that may help the body fight cancer and prevent disease. Watermelon is fat free, nutritionally low in calories and considered an ideal diet food, and is high in energy, making it a great energy boost. Watermelon contains no cholesterol of dietary significance and only a small amount of fat. It is an important source of potassium and may micronutrients. back to top
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