Your Weekly "Simple Health Secrets" by Asia Moore For Wednesday,  February 18, 2004 Compliments of SolvingTheHealthPuzzle.com To listen to the audio version of this secret please click the play button when it appears:

First, let’s have a quick overview of what free radicals really are …. especially for those of you who think that free radicals are old hippies from the 60’s running loose inside your body.

Free radicals are molecules which harm healthy body cells. The accumulated damage caused by free radicals is considered a primary cause of the aging process, therefore it follows that you can slow down the aging process in your body by eating foods that have a high antioxidant content, such as pomegranates.

Scientific research carried out at Tufts University has evaluated the antioxidant needs of the average person plus the antioxidant power of fruits and vegetables, which is referred to as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbancy Capacity).

This research has concluded that we need approximately 5,000 ORAC units per day to counteract free radical damage in our bodies.

A minimum of three servings of fruits and vegetables per day provides only approximately 1,200 ORAC units, which means the average person is deficient by approximately 3,800 ORAC units each day.

The ancient Egyptians called the pomegranate the “fruit of immortality” because of its antioxidant super powers.

Did you know that the pomegranate is one of the earliest cultivated fruits and that although pomegranates grew wild before the dawn of agriculture, they were one of the first five domesticated crops along with dates, figs, grapes and olives.

The juice from pomegranates is one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, even more so than blueberry juice, cranberry juice, orange juice, red wine or green tea.

It’s very important to eat lots of foods high in antioxidant protection because antioxidants guard your body against free radicals which are the harmful molecules that can cause heart disease, premature aging, Alzheimer’s disease and even cancer.

Recent research has shown in a study done with mice that the antioxidant power of pomegranate juice reduced the size of atherosclerotic lesions by an amazing 44%.

An atherosclerotic lesion is the build-up of plaque in the inner artery lining that restricts the flow of blood to major organs, including the heart.

So the next time you’re cruising for fresh fruit in the market and your eye comes to rest upon those beautiful, brightly colored pomegranate fruits add some to your shopping basket. 

Also, start looking for pomegranate juice in your grocery store isle. Pomegranate juice will soon be easier to find and although it may be a bit pricey, the bottom line is that antioxidants are extremely important to maintaining your overall health.

Following is a list of foods which contain some of the higher levels of antioxidant protection and can help you to get the daily antioxidants you need to help slow the aging process and maintain a healthy body in today’s toxic world. (ORAC units per 100 grams)

I hope you've enjoyed this simple health "secret", compliments of SolvingTheHealthPuzzle.com where you'll learn simple "secrets" every week about how to live a healthier and more toxic-free life.

Please visit our home page often to see newly added health related products and information!

Read past "secrets" articles to help you learn how prevention can be your cure.

Thanks for visiting and remember that being healthy is really a simple matter once you know the "Simple Health Secrets".

Sincerely,

Asia Moore,
Publisher

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