Phytonutrients or as they are more commonly known, antioxidants, may have a huge impact on health as they have the capability to prevent and fight many diseases including cancer. Found in various forms in fruits and vegetables, they contain nutrients that work with our own nutrients to combat many common but serious illnesses in addition to disease. To date, scientists have managed to index almost a 1,000 of these unusual compounds; more are being discovered all the time and the whole area of nutrition and preventative health care is opening up. There have been a huge number of health benefits discovered so far from many well known foods; pomegranates for example, contain many different properties whilst blueberries have compounds which affect the aging process.

Blueberries are one of the top quality fruits containing plenty of antioxidants while maintaining lower sugar content then most other fruits. The easiest way to inject concentrated amounts of these fruits is by drinking juice every day; this will help improve our healing ability and blood circulation. Antioxidants contained in these fruits can also help ward off and fight disease and infections we may suffer from. Even the humble apple is not immune with properties to help ward of heart problems.

You must not forget the citrus fruits either as they also contain effective phytochemicals. The particular combination of properties found in tart cherries offers an anti-inflammatory benefit, which is appreciated by those suffering from joint pain caused by arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia or over-exertion. Of course we already now about the benefits of certain vitamins and minerals, which have been available for some time. The Phytoalexin (another antioxidant), resveratrol has many anti-viral and anti-infection properties used by plants, a number of these are helpful to people, they are found in blueberries, mulberries and blackberries.

The benefits of these extend too many of the conditions which are found to be more prevalent as we age like heart disease, Alzheimer's, blood pressure and stroke. Tomatoes too are able to help in the prevention of conditions like heart disease and some cancers. Although quite large quantities are needed so using tomato juice, puree or sauce which are all concentrates has been found to be the best way to increase the level of the antioxidants in our food. Nature has also blessed the watermelon with phytonutrients; in fact the most important discovered to date! Now you know the benefits of these fruits to your health, there is no longer any reason not to use them more regularly.