The Summer Fruit Rxs For Better Health!
It’s Summertime and for many that means taking advantage of all of the
fruits that are now available.
So, when making this week’s grocery list, include the following…
a) Cantaloupe-
Have a spare tire (belly fat) leftover from this past Winter’s overindulging?
Get rid of it with a slice (or two) of cantaloupe each day.
Cantaloupe contains carotenoids, compounds that switch on genes that
help soak up and burn fatty acids for fuel before they can be ushered into
your fat cells for storage. Plus, they help your liver quickly metabolize and
excrete stored fats and trapped fluids.
b) Plums-
Feeling stressed out? Before reaching for something unnatural and potentially
harmful, grab a plum. The fruit’s neochlorogenic acid activates the brain’s limbic
system to increase the production of calming, mood-boosting alpha waves.
c) Grapes-
Do you enjoy the sweet tasting red, black and green grapes this time of year?
Good for you, and if your thoughts are scattered and foggy, eat a bowl of grapes.
The polyphenols in grapes switch on enzymes that help brain cells quickly soak
up and burn blood glucose for fuel.
d) Blackberries-
Blueberries seem to take all of the accolades, but if wrinkled and thinning
skin is a concern, eat more fresh (and frozen) blackberries. The pigment
in blackberries, (called ellagitannin) soak easily into skin cells, where they
act as a natural sunscreen, plus reduce tissue-aging inflammation and
encourage the formation of healthy new epidermal cells.
e) Watermelon-
The benefits one gets from watermelon are numerous, and today, we’ll
focus on one and that one is fewer aches and pains. Eat 2 slices daily
can help you tamp down headaches, muscle pain and joint stiffness in
as little as one week. Watermelon contains nutrients (citrulline and
lycopene) that dampen inflammation, calm muscle spasms and soothe
overactive pain nerves.
f) Pears-
Although it’s often thought of as a “fall fruit” you can still get deals on pears
starting in June. And if you need a boost in energy, avoid Redbull and Monster
energy drinks and reach for a pear instead. The skin on pears are brimming
with compounds that stimulate a sluggish nervous system and boost levels
of the energizing neurotransmitter dopamine.
Important tip: If you find pears bland, look for Comice pears. They’re sweet
and juicy with a silky smooth texture.
g) A Recipe For Fruit Lovers-
To help you on your path toward a summer of Fruit, here’s a recipe
using grapes.
The recipe: Grape Sorbet!
Give Ice cream a break this Summer and make sorbet.
To make: Freeze 3 cups of seedless grapes for an hour (or two)
and then placing the grapes in a blender. Add 2 Tbs. of honey
and 1 tsp. of lemon and 1 tsp. of lemon zest.
Blend until smooth.
And if you’re a fan of salsa, swap out tomatoes and use
grapes to make this salsa.
Sources:
* Chicago’s Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation
* University of Illinois, Research Dept.
* University of Hawaii, Research Dept.
* A Taste of Home, Magazine
* The Healing Benefits of Melons, Ebook available at Amazon.com
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