Health Benefits and Nutrient Content of Fruits

Fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruit are very beneficial to diabetics because they alkalize the body and reduce the acidity from the excess sugar, and they contain a lot less sugar than other fruits. These tart fruits contain Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, water, and other phytonutrients that help to maintain the body’s defenses, and provide cholesterol-lowering and anti-cancer benefits. 

For example, lemons contain high levels of Vitamin C and limonoid/limonene phytonutrients that help to lower cholesterol levels and provide anti-cancer benefits. Lemon is also very effective for strengthening the gums and teeth, and preventing and curing acute inflammations of the gum margins, pyorrhea, and other oral diseases. 

Since these phytonutrients are found in the whole lemon, pith and peel included, it is best to make use of the whole lemon. Though the lemon juice is sour in taste, its reaction in the body is alkaline and as such it is valuable in the treatment of gout, rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, and the pain in hip joints, which result from too much acid in the body. A sufficient intake of lemon juice prevents the deposit of uric acid in the tissues and thus reduces the possibility of an attack of gout.

Grapefruit contains the flavonoid narigenin, which is believed to reduce the risk of some cancers. Grapefruit can improve blood circulation and lower blood cholesterol levels. Research has shown that grapefruit seed extract (rich in citrus bioflavonoids) is effective against some intestinal pathogens such as Candida albicans and other candida species (fungi), some E. coli (bacteria) species and Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria).

Grapefruit is effective as part of the natural treatment of constipation, flatulence and abdominal discomfort, as well as for bladder infections, thrush and vaginal candida infection. However, grapefruit juice increases the availability of some drugs in the body, causing potentially dangerous side effects.

These included heart rhythm disturbances, impaired kidney function, blood pressure changes and anemia. So, if you are taking any drugs, always consult with your doctor before eating grapefruit.
 

Fruits such as açai berries, blackberries, blueberries, pomegranates, apples, grapes, cherries, plums and other berries contain Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, carotenoids and other phytonutrients that strengthen the immune system, prevent inflammation and provide protection from some cancers and cardiovascular disease. 

For example, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, walnuts, pecans, pomegranates, and other plant foods contain ellagic acid. Ellagic acid may inhibit the growth of tumors caused by certain carcinogens by triggering apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells, preventing the binding of carcinogens to DNA, and strengthening connective tissue, which may keep cancer cells from spreading.
 

Some fruits such as grapefruit, apples, and oranges contain calcium d-glucarate, a botanical extract that appears to protect against cancer and other diseases via a different mechanism than antioxidants such as Vitamin C and the carotenoids. These vitamin antioxidants work by neutralizing toxic free radical damage in the body. However, calcium d-glucarate works by using a detoxification process to combine toxins or carcinogens with water-soluble substances and removing them from the body.  Early animal studies indicate that calcium d-glucarate may inhibit the production of the bad estrogen associated with prostate and breast cancers.

Avocado is an excellent fruit for diabetics because it contains monounsaturated fat, magnesium, potassium, folate, antioxidants such as Vitamin E, and fiber, which helps to remove cholesterol from the blood and improve bowel regularity and the health of the colon.

Fruits such as apples, berries, cherries, grapefruit, and pears contain fiber to help slow down the absorption of the sugar.

In addition to the high levels of fiber, these fruits contain water, antioxidants, protein, enzymes, vitamins, minerals and specific saccharides that help nourish, protect and cleanse the body; and, support cell-to-cell communications. 

Specifically, fruits contain pigment-related phytonutrients called polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids that promote cardiovascular health. Polyphenols are in the deeper-colored plant foods such as blueberries, strawberries, grapes, and green tea. Flavonoids can be found in blueberries, cranberries and currants. Carotenoids can be found in orange and yellow foods such as cantaloupe and mangos.

Some of these specific phytonutrients include the following:

• Lycopene carotenoid (in red foods such as tomatoes and watermelon)
• Anthocyanins (in blue and purple foods such as blueberries, grapes, plums, and cherries)
• Allicin (in white foods such as bananas and white fleshed, peaches and nectarines)
• Alpha/beta carotene (in orange foods such as apricots and mangoes)
• Beta-cryptoxanthin carotenoid (in orange-yellow foods such as oranges and tangerines)
• Hesperetin flavonoid (in citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemons and oranges)
• Lutein carotenoid (in yellow-green foods such as avocados)
• Quercetin flavonoid (in blueberries, elderberries and raisins)
• The polyphenols ellagic acid and tannins in pomegranates, cranberries and blueberries.

Fruits also contain Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, and enzymes that are beneficial to diabetics. These nutrients help to prevent inflammation and fight diseases such as cancer and heart disease by preventing/killing cancer cells, breaking down homocysteine to prevent plaque buildup, and relaxing the artery walls to prevent high blood pressure. Fruits contain soluble fiber, which has a lowering effect on blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

Fruits such as apricots and apples contain organic acids that act primarily as antioxidants, cancer preventives, liver protectors and inflammatory mediators. The acids include tartaric in apricots and apples; salicylic in spearmint; and tannic in nettles, tea and berries.