Exotic fruits and berries boast big anti-oxidants

From South America to Malaysia, from Hawaii to China, fruits, berries, and their juices are being hailed as the new super-foods. Boasting high amounts of anti-oxidants and other vital nutrients, super-foods can play a supporting role in a healthy diet.

Rush of anti-oxidants

Anti-oxidants are the body’s armed forces, working to prevent free-radical damage to the body’s cells, which is associated with premature aging and disease.

Ruby-red pomegranate is an anti-oxidant superstar. The distinctive sweet-tart flavour of the seeds and juice adds flare to food and drink. Native to Iran and the northern Himalayas in India, the pomegranate today is grown in California and Arizona.

Açaí is another rich anti-oxidant source with a notable taste: a cross between dark chocolate and berries. Derived from Amazon palmberries, its rich purple pigment denotes a high anti-oxidant level. According to the manufacturers, açaí is also high in amino acids and fatty acids, which help to keep cell membranes supple. You’ll find açaí in smoothies, juices, teas, and powders.

Exotic fruits for vitality

A host of other fruits from around the world show promise for their health-promoting properties, though research is needed to confirm their benefits.

The berries and juice of the goji fruit holds its nutritional treasures. From the Ningxia province of China, goji, a fruit of an evergreen shrub, was traditionally regarded as a longevity-promoting and strength-building tonic. Goji is high in anti-oxidants and amino acids, according to the manufacturers.

The juice of the native Malaysian mangosteen Garcinia mangostanas contains a class of anti-oxidants called xanthones, which hold promise for their disease-fighting properties.

Noni, or the morinda tree, is found in the Polynesian Islands and Hawaii. The fruit and its juice are used traditionally as a laxative and topically for skin ailments. Today noni is touted for its ability to aid a wide variety of conditions from improving asthma to assisting in weight loss.

Keep it real

When trying new products—especially those that make big promises—do your research and consult your doctor so you can make informed choices. Remember that moderation and variation are the keys to health, and a wide variety of foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts and other protein sources, will work together to promote health and vigour.

Ruby-red pomegranate is an anti-oxidant superstar

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Kathleen Finn

Kathleen Finn is a freelance writer and marketing consultant in the natural health industry. She is partial to pomegranate.

2007-09-01