The Importance of Fruit and Vegetable Juices in Nutrition

The Importance of Fruit and Vegetable Juices in Nutrition
by D. David Dugan

engaging in rigorous physical fitness training, eating a balanced and healthy diet,
maintaining ideal weight, and employing an effective stress management procedure.
It is also important to stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake, and avoid the use of
prohibited substances.

Poor health can be caused by a host of different factors, such as poor eating habits,
lack of exercise, stress, and excessive smoking and alcohol intake. Unbalanced intake
of nutrients, for one, may cause excessive or deficient nutrient intake, which will
definitely affect the body's normal functions. These nutrients are necessary for a
person's growth, metabolism, and other functions. There are about six nutrients,
which are needed by the human body in different amounts to perform its various
processes. These are: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, or nutrients that are known
to provide energy to the body; and minerals, vitamins, and water, or those nutrients
that support the body's metabolism.

Water, the last nutrient in the list, is sometimes called the forgotten nutrient, but it is
considered as the most important. Water is necessary for the body's growth and
metabolic processes. It runs through the blood and lymphatic system, carries oxygen
and distributes nutrients to the cells, and rids the body of toxins and wastes in the
form of urine and sweat. If water and its other liquid substitutes are not present in
the human diet, food digestion, nutrient absorption, and waste excretion would be
impossible.

The human body is made up of two-thirds water. It needs eight to ten glasses of
water or caffeine- and alcohol-free liquids to replace the water it loses during the day.
The body's need for water is satisfied by the intake of other drinking liquids free from
caffeine and alcohol, such as juices; fruits and vegetables, which are made of 80 to
95% water; meat products, which are made of 50% water; and cereals like rice and
oats, which can contain as much as 35% water.

Fruit juices, on the other hand, have been scientifically proven to give certain health
benefits, provided that they are taken in moderation. Nutritionists also suggest that
fruit juices should be taken in their pure state, and people should only drink 100%
fruit juice. Cranberry juice is believed to prevent urinary tract infections; grape juice is
believed to lower the chances of blood clots in the heart; and orange juice is believed
to prevent stroke and reduce the risk of heart attacks.

Though these popular beliefs have no scientific basis to their therapeutic claims, most
scientists say that many fruit juices are indeed healthy to drink. Pure orange juice, for
example, is very rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid. Other fruit juices that are
rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and anthocynanins (water soluble pigments found in
plants which act as antioxidants) include grape juice (purple), pomegranate juice, and
cranberry juice. It is believed that juices that are made from fruits with rich colors
such as grapes, pomegranates, cranberries, and blueberries are rich in vitamins and
antioxidants. New juices from black currants and Tahitian noni have also found their
way in the international market.

Recent scientific studies have also claimed that the antioxidants found in most fruits
and vegetable juices can help lower a person's risks of developing Alzheimer's
disease. Antioxidants are naturally occurring substances found in most plants and
have the potential to help combat heart diseases and fight cancer.

Freshly squeezed juices from fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of minerals
and vitamins which catalyze chemical reactions occurring in the body. These
enzymes also produce the energy needed for digestion, absorption, and conversion
of food into body tissues. An increased intake of fruit and vegetable juices ensures
that the body will efficiently absorb more minerals and vitamins.

Another helpful benefit of fruits and fruit juices is their ability to promote
detoxification in the human body. Fruits help to cleanse the body, especially those
with high acid levels. Tomatoes, pineapples, and citruses such as oranges, red
grapefruits, and lemons are known for their detoxifying properties. While these fruits
promote cleansing, they still provide the body with a high boost of Vitamin C!

About The Author

D. David Dugan is a supporter of , a site devoted to
promoting good health, and , a site designed to provide
people of all ages helpful retirement information.

A man's health is a very important
aspect of his life. To say that "health
is wealth" is not only to utter an old,
used up mantra, but to mean that for
most human beings, staying fit and
healthy is parallel to being wealthy,
for a person's everyday life is
influenced mainly by the state of his
mind and body, especially by the
presence and absence of certain
diseases.

Many people go through various
efforts to stay fit, maintain good
health, and ensure their longevity.
Examples of these practices include

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.