Antioxidants are nature's way to fight illness and disease; they are found in a wide variety of plants. 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; with these discoveries (and more to come), scientists believe the face of healthcare is changing, hopefully forever. Recent studies have indicated the phytonutrients found in fruit provide a whole host of natural health benefits; cherries for instance are able to reduce the pain in joints and blueberries have anti-aging properties.

Blueberries are one of the top quality fruits containing plenty of antioxidants while maintaining lower sugar content then most other fruits. Currently the most efficient and pleasurable way to get the benefits of these fruits is by drinking their juice; many benefits have been found including an improvement in our circulatory system and an increase in our own ability to ward of illness. Not content with helping to prevent illness, these antioxidants also help fight disease and infection. The chance of heart disease can be reduced by eating apples which also contain these nutrients.

Lemons, limes and other citrus fruits to are proving to have many such phytochemical properties as well. The health benefits of tart cherries are now being researched as a way to help those who suffer with joint conditions because they contain anti-inflammatory properties. Most of us have already heard about the benefits that certain minerals and vitamins like B, c and E provide which have now become widely used in products. Blackberries, mulberries, and especially blueberries are rich in powerful antioxidants like resveratrol.

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. Others found in tomatoes make this one super-food in the prevention of heart disease. The best way to concentrate these antioxidant properties has been found when we use tomato sauce, puree and juice. More recently the refreshing watermelon has been discovered to contain some of the most beneficial phytonutrients yet seen. People have been advised to eat more fruit (more than they currently consume) for some time but now the science behind this advice is finally beginning to show through.