The
fountain of youth is at our
fingertips. Fruits and
vegetables contain antioxidants,
little free-radical scavengers
that just may be our fountain of
youth.
Antioxidants exert many positive
effects on the body. What you
don’t know about fruits and
vegetables may surprise you.
About 40 percent of people do
not eat five to 10 servings of
fruits and vegetables per day
according to the V8 Survey in
2003. However, the survey also
found that 60 percent of
Canadians are planning to eat
more fruits and vegetables. What
could be their reason for
wanting to increase their fruit
and vegetable intake?
Muscle Food
Did you know that fruits can
promote muscle recovery after a
workout? In 1998 researchers
from Pennsylvania State
University found this to be
true. Muscle strength and length
tend to reduce with age but
antioxidants in fruits can help
prevent this muscle loss.
With age, humans also notice
degradation of the neuronal
system as seen with age-related
dementia such as Alzheimer’s
disease. The Journal of
Neuroscience (September 1999)
reported that supplementation
with antioxidant-rich foods,
like fruits and vegetables, may
reverse the course of neuronal
and behavioural aging.
Antioxidants are also thought to
prevent free-radical damage in
the brain thereby preventing
damage that occurs naturally
with age.
Carcinogenesis (December 1999)
published a study that
illustrated the
cancer-preventing potential of
fruits and vegetables. This and
many other scientific studies
have made convincing arguments
that fruits and vegetables do in
fact play a role in the
prevention of cancer. Both
Canada and the United States
back this claim.
Eating fruits and vegetables may
truly be our fountain of youth
as they promote muscle recovery,
reduce neuronal aging, and
reduce the risk of cancer.
However, despite these facts
many Canadians do not eat the
recommended daily servings of
fruits and vegetables each day.
Excuses range from a lack of
knowledge about fruit and
vegetable preparation to the
lack of carrot sticks and apples
in fast food restaurants.
Regardless, our lack of fruit
and vegetable consumption may
arguably be blamed as a key
factor to the many health
problems we face today. How do
we increase our consumption of
fruits and vegetables? A study
in the Public Health Nutrition
Journal of Denmark (April 2004)
noted that by simply offering
attractive vegetable and fruit
options on the canteen lunch
menu there was a significant
increase in total fruit and
vegetable consumption.
Our fountain of youth is not
hiding in secret caverns in the
desert. Antioxidants truly hold
the power of health. Share the
wealth of knowledge. Eat more
fruits and vegetables, and enjoy
health.
Allison Tannis, MSc, is bridging
science and the public as host
of Healthy Living and writer for
health publications.
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The
fountain of youth is at our
fingertips. Fruits and
vegetables contain antioxidants,
little free-radical scavengers
that just may be our fountain of
youth.
Dr
Richard E. DuBois, M.D.
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