Hidden Benefits Of Fruits, Veggies

Fruits and vegetables provide many health benefits. Most people know about the vitamin C found in oranges or the beta carotene in carrots. But don't overlook the benefits of resveratrol, lycopene and anthocyanin.

These compounds are among the ever-increasing number of phytochemicals whose existence and roles in nutrition and health are being discovered by researchers.

Phytochemicals are the ingredients in fruits and vegetables that appear to promote health, such as by slowing the aging process or reducing disease risk. They include:

• Lycopene, found in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit, which may aid in reduction of prostate cancer and heart disease.
• Anthocyanin, found in blueberries, blackberries, cherries, kiwi, plums and eggplant, which may help reduce the risk of cancer and may prevent urinary tract infections.
• Resveratrol, found in red grapes, wine and peanuts. Resveratrol may help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

These health-promoting compounds are more reasons why we should all eat the USDA recommended 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables every day.