Did you know?(health)(health aspects of fruits)

Apple power for your lungs

Apples may offer significant protection for the lungs, helping to reduce coughing and phlegm in people with chronic lung problems, according to an August 2004 study by researchers in the U.S. and Singapore. Apples out-paced 14 other fruits in this study of 49,000 people. Previous studies have suggested that apples may protect against asthma and lung cancer. And a wealth of research has tied the fiber and flavonoids--beneficial plant compounds--abundant in apples to reduced risk of heart disease and several cancers. Eat your apple (washed) with the skin on to get its full fiber content: 3.3 grams on average, twice as much as in the peeled fruit.

 
color me healthful 
 
                                                  SOME POSSIBLE 
          PRODUCE EXAMPLES       PHYTOCHEMICAL    BENEFITS 
 
Red       Guava, pink            Lycopene         Reduced lung and 
          grapefruit, tomatoes                    prostate-cancer 
                                                  risk. 
 
          RedBeets, kidney       Anthocyanins     Lowered blood 
          beans, raspberries,    (red)            pressure; protection 
          red apples, red                         against circulatory 
          cabbage                                 problems. 
 
Orange/   Apricots, butternut    Beta-carotene    Reduced risk of 
yellow    squash, cantaloupe,                     cancer and heart 
          carrots, mangos,                        disease; maintenance 
          peaches, pumpkin,                       of good vision; 
          sweet potatoes                          increased infection- 
                                                  fighting ability. 
 
          Apricots,              ...