A Variety of Fruits Have Disease Fighting Vitamins and Minerals

For a healthy blood pressure try fresh figs. Only 6 of them have 891 mg of potassium. Figs are one of the best fruit sources of calcium with almost as much as ½ cup of fat-free milk. Look for figs that are dry on the outside and heavy in your hand. You can chop and add them to yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, and green salads.

Lychees have the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols. This compound plays an important role in fighting diseases such as cancer. They act like a force field that fights off invaders that damage cells. This fruit has a powerful antioxidant activity that helps fight breast cancer. Shop for the lychees with the fewest black marks on its rough leathery shell. The shell can be red to brown in color. The fruit should give when pressed slightly. The fruit should be attached to the stem. Peel or break the fruit just below stem, remove pit. Add to stir fry.

For beautiful skin try one cup a guava which has as much vitamin C as a medium orange. People who eat a lot of vitamin C foods have less wrinkles than those who don't. Guava protects against food bourn pathogens like Listeria and Staph. This fruit has more antioxidants than blueberries. A guava that is ripe will have a flower fragrance. It will give when you touch it. It will be thin and have a pale green to yellow rind. Add this fruit to cobbler recipes. The seeds are edible. Simmer chunks or guava in water. Use the guava to make a smoothie. Use this recipe. ½ banana, ½ guava, strawberries, ½ cup soy milk, and ice cubes.

To lower your cholesterol try Asian pears. One large pear has almost 10g of fiber. It also helps with weight. Look for a firm feel when shopping for pears. They have a yellow-brown skin and a fragrance. Add to a salad. One of the top sources of beta- crypoxanthin is papaya. It is said to protect against lung cancer. It is a good source of lycopene. This nutrient protects against many different types of cancer which include stomach, endometrial, and prostate. When used topically, papayas speed in burn healing. This is due to the enzyme papain. Papain also helps in digestion by breaking down amino acids. Ripe papaya as have yellow golden skin that gives to a little pressure. Throw away the black seeds after you slice it lengthwise. Scoop the flesh using a spoon. Sprinkle it with lemon juice. Combine chopped papaya with red pepper, red onion, mango, raspberries, lemon juice, and cilantro for a fresh salsa. You should serve with grilled fish.

source: www.prevention.com