Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in most plants and have the potential to help combat heart diseases and fight cancer. These compounds are found in fruits and vegetables we use regularly but can work with our own nutrients to provide help in protecting us from many illnesses, medical conditions and serious disease. Although only nine hundred if these phytonutrients have been discovered so far it is the scientist opinion that many more will be found and will change tomorrows health care needs; huge advances in preventative health care and nutrition are advancing at an almost daily rate. There has been a whole host of discoveries made into the properties of these phytonutrients; pomegranates for example, contain many different properties whilst blueberries have compounds which affect the aging process.

But is doesn't stop there as blueberries also contain a lower sugar content than most other fruits as well as many antioxidants. For many people eating fruit does not come easily but drinking the juice is much more pleasant and an efficient way to get the goodness from the fruit into our systems; many benefits have been found including an improvement in our circulatory system and an increase in our own ability to ward of illness. Infection is also reduced as are the chances of disease from the powerful antioxidants they contain. Even the humble apple is not immune with properties to help ward of heart problems.

The likes of many citrus fruits also have health benefits associated with the phytochemicals they contain. Tart cherries can also provide anti-inflammatory benefits to people who suffer with conditions that cause pain in and around the joints. Of course we already now about the benefits of certain vitamins and minerals, which have been available for some time. Other types of antioxidants are found in mulberries, blackberries and blueberries, called resveratrol, Phytoalexins have anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

These amazing compounds seem to benefit the elderly with many properties that help reduce conditions found in aging like Alzheimer's, heart disease, blood pressure and stoke. Tomatoes too are able to help in the prevention of conditions like heart disease and some cancers. Using concentrated tomato in the form of puree, sauce and juice is an even more efficient way of increasing intake of this fruit. Nature has also blessed the watermelon with phytonutrients; in fact the most important discovered to date! The health benefits of plants are still in the early stages but why wait to appreciate the benefits this whole range of fruits can bring.