The Benefits of Whole, Fresh Foods

For years, scientists have been amazed at how certain people around the world experience remarkably low levels of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and weight problemts - and enjoy significantly longer and more vibrant lives.

The key it turns out is their diet. Certain foods are nutritional powerhouses that can extend your health span - the extent of time you have to be healthy, vigourous and vita. These foods have been proven to help deliver life changing benefits. They have been shown to prevent, and in some cases reverse the well signs of aging, including cardio-vascular diseases, Type II diabetes, hypertension, certain cancers, and even dementia. They also deliver more immediate benefits such as improved energy leveles, stronger and better skin, hair, nails, and better abitlity to control your weight.

While it can be difficult to eat right, it's important to know how micronutrients in whole, fresh foods work like tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflowerto protect your system.

Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. How do these work? Your body is a complicated, interrelated system. Over time, the tiny links in the chain that your health depends on break down. We are constantly bombarded by a variety of polutants, and the body , through its own metabolism, creates oxygen molecules called free radicals which are missing an electron. These molecules seek to regain the missing electron by attacking other molecules in your body, causing damage to critical cells, proteins and DNA. Antioxidants are the body's natural defence against these harmful molecules. The micronutrients whole, fresh foods provide high levels of antioxidants that can help stop and reverse this damage. The body benefits measurably from a consistant, rich infusion of phytonutrients and other micronutrients.

In general, the deeper and richer the color of a fruit or vegetable, the more phytonutrients are present in it. So, next time you're walking down the produce aisle, don't get the green grapes, purchase the red ones. Instead of green peppers, try purple, or red.

Blueberries and bilberries are two of the best antioxidant foods you can buy -- and are very rich in phytonutrients.