The term antioxidant refers to a group of compounds found in everyday substances like plants which have health giving benefits to help fight disease. In plants these are called phytonutrients and are able to work together with our body's own nutrients to fight disease. Discoveries are being made all the time with in excess of 900 compounds catalogued already; more are being discovered all the time and the whole area of nutrition and preventative health care is opening up. To date a large number of health giving benefits of these phytonutrients have been found; the anti-aging power of blueberries, the joint pain relieving properties of cherries and a whole host of powerful properties in pomegranates are just a few examples.

The humble blueberry (famous for homemade pies) has very low sugar content whilst having many antioxidants that are good for our health. Fruit juice provides many benefits and is a more pleasurable way to consume this type of food; many benefits have been found including an improvement in our circulatory system and an increase in our own ability to ward of illness. Although they help to prevent disease, the powerful antioxidants contained in these fruits can also help fight disease and infections as well. Apples are now coming under the spotlight as potential helpers in the struggle against heart illness.

The likes of many citrus fruits also have health benefits associated with the phytochemicals they contain. 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. The benefits of vitamins B, C, E and certain other minerals are well studied and widely known. Another antioxidant is resveratrol has many infection and viral prevention properties and is found in the likes of blackberries, mulberries but more highly in blueberries.

Many aging conditions, including Alzheimer's, can be treated with some of these. Some cancers can also be prevented, along with heart disease, by eating tomatoes as part of a routine diet. There are a number of ways you can use tomatoes to gain the greatest antioxidant benefit from them and these include pureed, juice concentrate and sauce. Watermelons, recognized as a refreshing summer fruit also contain some of the most powerful phytonutrients yet found. We are told to eat more fruit and now there is a very good scientific reason to do this.