SUPERFRUITS : SEE RED!
For many years, researchers have been interested in plants and phytochemicals including protective and curative effects. In general, it is recognized that the consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and other chronic diseases. They recognize these beneficial effects mainly by their high antioxidant content. Indeed, plants are not mobile have developed strategies to protect and defend against environmental damage. They have thus developed these powerful chemical compounds which they usually have their aroma and colour.
Strawberry! A highly anticipated summer scent.
The berries are concentrated in antioxidants valuable due to the combined presence of vitamin C and phenolic compounds (flavonoids, tannins ...). The antioxidant power of food is expressed in ORAC units (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) which measures the ability of a food to neutralize free radicals. This index is used by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to select foods that provide the best antioxidant protection. It is obtained by spectrofluometrie and is expressed relative to the reference antioxidant, trolox, which is the equivalent of water-soluble vitamin E. His unit was then micromol TE/100g fresh (TE for "Trolox equivalent). The recommended intake is estimated at between 3,000 and 5,000 ORAC units per day.
With strawberries, pomegranates, cherries and redcurrants, discover all the benefits of red fruits such due to their antioxidant content.
The strawberry is the edible fruit of the strawberry, genus Fragaria. In fact, the strawberry is a false fruit; small hard seeds (achenes) on the envelope are the real fleshy fruits. Its sweet flavor, juiciness, its pleasant scent and color bright red fully revive the senses.
Often associated with cravings of pregnant women, its consumption is in fact quite in pregnancy for its vitamin B9 (69 μg/100g). This vitamin (also called folic acid or folate) is essential to prevent fetal malformations, including spina bifida.
The strawberry is also rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. A serving of 100g can meet its daily needs. The strawberry is also among the richest fruits in vitamin C.
It also contains β-carotene, a provitamin A that plays a beneficial role for the view and the stimulation of the immune system.
It is rich in trace minerals including potassium essential for nerve impulse transmission, calcium for bone formation and magnesium against depression and anxiety.
The protective effects of the cutter can be explained mainly by its content of phenolic compounds. Among them, flavonoids, including the famous anthocyanins (140.8 mg / 100g) give red strawberry. They have antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory high and thus improve the body's defenses against chronic disease. They inhibit the proliferation of such cancer cells, reduce oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL) and therefore cardiovascular risk, and protect against degenerative diseases.
Strawberry also contains ellagic acid. This compound belongs to the family of tannins and has protective effects against oxidative stress and cancer, and has antimicrobial and antiviral activities.
The Pomegranate! A cool moment.
The pomegranate is the fruit of the pomegranate, Punica granatum. Native to Central Asia, this shrub of semi-arid areas has acclimated around the Mediterranean and East Asia. The pomegranate is a round bay, of variable size (between 50 and 800 g), the hard bark and leathery, and brown to red. It contains many seeds enclosed by white walls and bitter, and are called "arils." They are coated with a juicy pulp pale red color and delicious sweet and tangy. Sip of water (80%), the pomegranate is prized for its refreshing flavor. In addition, it is rich in minerals and trace elements, and contains potassium and vitamin C.
The pomegranate has long been celebrated as a symbol of love, fertility and prosperity. We now know that the pomegranate is a real treasure in antioxidants.
The pomegranate is indeed characterized by its high content of bioactive compounds: tannins (especially ellagitannins), flavonoids (quercetin, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins) and phenolic acids (gallic acid and ellagic acid).
The ellagitannins gives the bitter taste to the crust and the white membranes that delimit the boxes. Anthocyanins contribute to the red color of the arils and are known for their strong antioxidant. Finally ellagic acid is a phenolic antioxidants, the results of the cancers were the most convincing.
Thus, the compounds of pomegranate naturally help strengthen our energy system and its effects on cardiovascular health, some cancers and neurological disorders are recognized.
The Cherry! A gourmet delight.
The cherry is the fruit of the cherry tree the two cultivated species are Prunus avium and Prunus cerasus (sourer fruit). It is a fleshy stone berry, rounded and often bright red. It is very appreciated for its freshness and juiciness but it is by far one of the sweetest fruits. It is therefore very high energy (66.5 kcal/100g).
However its record content of β-carotene and its high potassium gives diuretic properties and a beneficial role in the cardiovascular system. It also contains vitamin C and E, to a lesser extent.
Its high fiber content (mainly pectin) helps to stimulate bowel function and, consumed in large quantity, cherries are even slightly laxative.
Anthocyanins are phenolic compounds the most important fruit. They are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. They are the ones that give colour to the cherries. So the more colourful the fruit, the more elements beneficial to health it contains.
The cherry also contains relatively high amount of hydroxycinnamic acids and antioxidant effects of melatonin and serotonin, which act as sleep regulators.
And cherries can act against cancer by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. They reduce inflammatory pain and promote muscle recovery during intense exercise. They also have the ability to inhibit the oxidation of bad cholesterol (LDL) and therefore protect cardiovascular disease. Finally, they improve sleep and studies have shown it reduces waking people suffering from insomnia.
Finally, the cherry stems can be prepared as a decoction to treat inflammation of the urinary tract (cystitis, gout)
Redcurrant! A pearly luster with a tart flavour.
The redcurrant fruit, is a small white berry red full of juice and very acidic. Its tart flavor is its high content of natural organic acids (2.38 g/100g). They consist of 75% citric acid for 25% of malic acid. Low in sugar, it is one of the least-calorie fruits (37.7 kcal/100g).
It provides significant levels of certain trace minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron.
It also has the advantage of being very rich in flavonoids (65 mg/100g), phenolics antioxidants that are actively involved in skin renewal and protection of small blood vessels. The redcurrant is the more or less pronounced in the presence of anthocyanins and its astringency to catechins (7-15 mg/100 g). Catechins are derivatives of flavonoid compounds. Powerful antioxidants, they help prevent inflammation and coronary heart disease.
The antioxidant effects of redcurrants are potentiated by the incredible amount of vitamin C (43 mg/100g), which is almost equivalent to that of citrus. In addition to its effect on collagen, the vitamins help the immune system function, the red blood cell formation and absorption of iron.
Redcurrants are also recommended to combat constipation. Its high fiber (especially pectin) is used, in effect, to stimulate transit. They are in the fruit at a rate of 5.3 g per 100g, a rate much higher than that of most fruits.
This article presented the potential health that has red berries. Consumption of these small concentrated bioactive compounds and provides real benefits to our well-being. The attached table summarizes the nutritional composition of fruits detailed above and in their antioxidant ORAC units.
So why wait to put the berries on the menu? Fresh, dried or juice, they not only taste good, they are good for health!
Panacea plants and offers Dried red fruit and pure juice bio. Browse our site and see also the soft cranberry, Goji berries fortified with antioxidant, Acai powder, Acerola, and many other products.
Red fruit can be consumed without moderation!