| Numerous studies show that those who eat the | | | | amount of ellagic acid of any known food. Other |
| most fruits and vegetables have the lowest risk of | | | | good sources are raspberries and pomegranates. |
| cancer and heart disease. Yet, when isolated vitamins | | | | Resveratrol: is a powerful anti-cancer antioxidant and |
| are consumed, the results are mixed. Why? | | | | cardioprotective compound found in red grapes. It |
| According to Dr. Rui Lui of Cornell University, "The | | | | decreases the bad form of cholesterol (LDL) and the |
| key question is whether a purified vitamin has the | | | | clumping of the blood, associated with heart attacks |
| same benefit as does the whole food." | | | | and strokes. It also reduces inflammation, associated |
| Dr. Lui concluded, "Our group found that, for | | | | with arthritis and other degenerative diseases. |
| example, that the Vitamin C in apples with skin | | | | Flavonoids: This group includes over 5,000 potent |
| accounts for only 0.4% of the total antioxidant | | | | anti-cancer compounds. Fruits and vegetables contain |
| activity, suggesting that most of the antioxidant | | | | the most flavonoids of any food group. |
| activity of fruits and vegetables may come from | | | | Flavnones: Found in oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and |
| phenolics and flavonoids in apples. We propose that | | | | berries. |
| the additive and synergistic effects of | | | | Anthocyanidins and Anthocyanosides: Found in |
| phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables are | | | | blueberries and grape seeds. |
| responsible for their potent antioxidant and | | | | Proanthacyanidins: Found in blueberries, Gingko biloba, |
| anti-cancer activities." | | | | and other botanicals. |
| In other words, the powerful benefit of fruits and | | | | Curcumin: A powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant |
| vegetables come from the antioxidant activity of the | | | | found in tumeric spice. |
| "non-essential" nutrients, in tandem with vitamins. The | | | | Cinnamic Acid: An anti-cancer compound found in |
| main categories of these supernutrients are: | | | | cinnamon bark. |
| Ellagic Acid: Twenty years ago, this antioxidant was | | | | It is clear that there are components in a plant based |
| unknown to the scientific community. Today, it is one | | | | diet, other than isolated vitamins and minerals, that |
| of the most studied of the newly discovered | | | | can reduce the risk of cancer. |
| supernutrients found in food. A large number of | | | | As Gary Young says in his new book, "The fruits |
| studies have documented the ability of ellagic acid to | | | | richest in antioxidants, such as wolfberries, |
| protect against lung, colon, breast, intestinal, and | | | | raspberries, and pomegranates may represent one of |
| exophageal cancer. It may not only block the | | | | our most important natural therapies to slow the |
| carcinogenic effects of chemicals, but, it can even | | | | onset of degenerative diseases." |
| halt the progession of cancer and prevent genetic | | | | While the research on supernutrients and superfoods |
| mutations. It may be the key to explain why certain | | | | continues around the world, the good news is that |
| fruits and vegetables have better health benefits | | | | adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to the diet |
| than purified vitamins. Wolfberries contain the highest | | | | can profoundly improve health and combat illness. |