Best way to clean fruits and vegetables
October 4th, 2011 | 
Author: According to the Food and Drug Administration, the FDA doesn’t recommend any soap or liquid detergent to wash the commercial fruit and vegetables. All should be thoroughly washed under running water, whether it’s grown conventionally or organically.
University of Maine’s Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition backed up this claim by testing three store-bought produce rinses and washes against regular tap water and distilled water. Finally the study reveals that distilled water was the most effective way to remove pesticides and microbes. Since the distilled water is filtered and purified to remove any contaminants. The researchers also believed that very clean cold tap water can be used instead.
Best way to clean fruits and vegetables
Wash your fruits and vegetables even if you are peeling them. For ex: Slicing an unwashed cantaloupe can transfer bacteria from the outside of the melon onto the cut fruit. Thick skinned fruits or vegetable that grows underground, like beets and carrots need an extra scrub to remove excess dirt. The University of Maine suggest soaking fruits and veggies produce with a lot of nooks and crannies for one to two minutes in clean, cold water before eating.
Experts recommend once your fruits and vegetables are clean, drying them with dish towel or paper towel is another step. Also wash utensils with hot, soapy water after cutting and peeling produce. The FDA also advises a solution of one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water.
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Consuming White fruits and vegetables may lower stroke risk
Consuming White fruits and vegetables may lower stroke risk
Dutch researchers report shows that, fruits and vegetables whose edible sections are white may lower your risk of stroke than other fruits and vegetables. Intake of 25 grams of white fruits and vegetables per day led to a 9% decrease in the risk of stroke. According to the study, published in the November issue of Stroke, apples and pears were the most commonly consumed white fruit.
Author Linda M. Oude Greip, a postdoctoral fellow at Wageningen University in the Netherlands study said, the risk of stroke incidence was 52 percent lower for people with a high intake of white fruits and vegetables, compared to the people with a low intake.
Linda M. Oude Greip also pointed out that the findings don’t mean it’s better to stop eating other fruits and vegetables. Because other fruit and vegetable color groups may protect against other chronic diseases, she stressed. She said past research has shown that higher fruit and vegetable consumption can lower the risk of stroke. But none of that research looked at specific fruits and vegetables to see if any contributed more to the reduced risk than the others.
She used data collected by the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands that included more than 20,000 people. Study participants were between the ages of 20 and 65 at the start of the study, and none showed any signs of cardiovascular disease. All of the study volunteers completed a 178-item food frequency survey. The study then included 10 years of follow-up information on the participants’ health. During the follow-up period, 233 people had a stroke.
The only group that was associated with a significant decrease in stroke risk was white fruits and vegetables. Oude Greip said it’s not clear what components in white fruit might be protective for stroke, but she believes that the dietary fiber and the flavonoids play a role, where apples and pears are high in a flavonoid called quercetin.
Shapiro also pointed out; it’s difficult to single out what it is about white fruits that might reduce the risk of stroke. It’s really the whole foods. She said that she wouldn’t recommend limiting your diet to just white fruits and veggies. She added, “Eat the rainbow of fruits and vegetables”. It provides certain nutrients that combine and interplay with others.
Read about stroke prevention: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Apple Fruit- Health Benefits and Nutrition news
Statistics show that Americans each consume roughly 40 pounds of apples yearly. Apples come in thousands of varieties, which are grown in the U.S. Most of us are familiar with at least half a dozen varieties.
Why apples are good for us?
Apple-fruit- health-benefits-nutrition-news
Most of its fiber is the soluble type called Pectin. Pectin and other soluble fibers slow down our food’s digestive transit time, giving us a slow steady rise in blood sugar.
Apples may cause some of us to feel bloated. But if we bake them, we reduce the large amount of air they contain.
According to the American Institute of Cancer Research, Disease-fighting substances have been found both in the fruit’s flesh and peel and the phytochemicals in apples protect against breast, colon and liver cancers.
Apples are pretty chewy, juicy, fibrous, and the pulp doesn’t stick to our teeth. As apples contain Vitamin C, and when we eat their peel, we get some beta-carotene and extra fiber. A large apple has about 125 calories. Apples are also one of the most versatile fruits. They’re great eaten raw as a fruit. We can also add them to a salad; eat them sliced with some cheese.
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High prices fruits in open market
High prices fruits in open market
Prices of fruits in open market are much higher as compared to rates in the wholesale market. There is wide difference of rates between these open and wholesale markets. This is due to lack of proper check in this regard.
The majority of the fruit shopkeepers and vendors are not displaying the fruit rate lists properly. Vendors said that the district administration only had given them the price list in case of visit to the market.
In wholesale market Mango’s crate of 10 kg is available at Rs 500-600, where it is being sold at Rs. 100 per kg in the open market. Likewise, apples’s crate of over 15 kg is sold at Rs. 1000-1100 in wholesale market where it is being sold at Rs. 100 per kg in the open market. Banana Rs 80-100 per dozen in the open market while Rs 1100-1200 per bunch of around 20 dozens in wholesale market. Grapes are sold at Rs 150-200 per kg in open market while crate of 5 kg was available at Rs 700-800.
The visitors to Sasta bazaars of twin cities complained that stall holders do not allow anyone to properly check fruits.
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McDonald’s to automatically include fruit in Happy Meals
McDonald's to automatically include fruit in Happy Meals
Michele Obama praised McDonald’s after announcing it will automatically include a portion of fruit in children’s Happy Meals and reduce servings of French fries. The world’s largest hamburger chain, which has come under increasing pressure from consumer groups to sell healthier food, said it would start making the changes in September. The new Happy Meals will be available in all of its 14,000 US restaurants early next year. They will include a quarter-cup of peeled apple. The new child’s French fry portion will be 1.1 ounces, down from 2.4 ounces previously. The company said the changes to Happy Meals will reduce the annual consumption of America’s children by 49 billion calories.
Michelle obama, who as US first lady has campaigned against childhood obesity, said: McDonald’s is making continued progress today by providing more fruit and reducing the calories in its Happy Meals. She also stated that everyone has a role to play in making America healthier, and these are positive steps toward the goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity. McDonald’s also promised to reduce sugars, saturated fats and calories across its menus in the US by 2020. Cindy Goody, McDonald’s senior director of nutrition, said: “We are going to be casting our gaze more closely on portion management as well as how we can introduce more food groups such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains.”
The fast food chain acted after San Francisco and nearby Santa Clara County, California, passed laws that would stop free toy giveaways with unhealthy restaurant meals for children. Happy Meals have been sold by McDonald’s for more than 30 years and traditionally include a burger, French fries, drink and toy. Apple slices had in the past been offered as an alternative to French fries if a customer asked, but they will now be included automatically in every meal. McDonald’s said some restaurants may serve carrots, raisins, pineapple slices or oranges instead of apples.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
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National Watermelon Day
National Watermelon Day
Celebrate National Watermelon Day on August 3. July is considered to b e the National Watermelon Month. So any fruit that has both a day and a month to be recognized must be of significant nutritional value. Today China is the No 1 producer of watermelons. In U.S watermelon is the most consumed fruit followed by cantaloupe and honeydew.
Watermelon is believed to be originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa and was often placed in the burial tombs of ancient Egyptian kings to nourish them in the afterlife. Egerton, the southern food historian believes that watermelon made its way to the United States with African slaves.
Watermelons are best during summer which contains 92 percent water, so it should be heavy for its size. Seedless watermelons are not genetically modified. They are hybrid watermelons that have been grown in the US for more than 50 years. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, only 16 percent of watermelon sold in grocery stores has seeds.
Recent research has shown that Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant, essential for vision and immunity. It also helps regulate body fluids, and control heart rate and regulate blood pressure. Vitamin C in watermelon helps the immune system defend against infections and viruses. . Vitamin B6 in watermelon also helps the body to maintain normal nerve function and form red blood cells. The most nutrient found in watermelon is lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against cancer.
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90 percent of teen girls in UK fail to get enough fruits and veggies
In UK; more than 90 percent of teenage girls fail to get sufficient fruits and vegetables every day. They are unable to get enough nutrition during their growing years. These results were found by the National Diet and Nutrition Survey conducted by the Department of Health.
The survey mainly notifies that over 44 percent of the girls did not get the recommended levels of iron in their diet. The boys were slightly better with just 13 percent managing to eat recommended levels of fruits and vegetables amounting to 3.1 portions each and every day.
More than 2,000 adults and children took part in the poll with the average portions of fruits and vegetables. It rises up to 4.2 per day among adults between 19 to 65 years of age and 4.4 per day among those over 65 years.
The lack of proper diet among teenagers could affect their long term health. Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies reported, “It is really important that teenagers eat a balanced diet including eating five portions of fruit and veggies a day”. Eating healthy and being active can help prevent serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease later in life.
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Eight public schools share $116K for fresh fruits and veggies
According to northern Wisconsin elementary schools apples, bananas, kiwi, mushrooms and spinach are not just vocabulary words. Federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture provide fruits and veggies as a snack-time food for students of five regional school districts.
Federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program allocated $150 million among nationwide. Eight public schools in northern Wisconsin will share $116,425 in funding to provide students with fresh fruit or veggies snack at least three times a week during the school day in the 2011-12 school years. Selection for the grants was based on schools with the highest percentage of students certified for reduced-price school meals.
State Superintendent Tony Evers announcing the grants as “Children from low-income families generally have fewer opportunities to consume fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis”.
In previous years, schools participating in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program have had kickoff activities, used colorful posters to promote healthy snacking, and integrated lessons on healthy eating.
A number of schools have partnered with various community groups. They work with the Farm to School program to purchase locally-grown produce. Some schools are learning to grow their own gardens to support the Fresh Fruit and Veggies Program.
Previously 25 schools are participated in Wisconsin for fresh fruits and Veggies Program. Now, 166 schools will participate in 2011-12. The students participating in this program will receive approximately $50 per child to provide snacks to all students during the school day.
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Can fruits and veggies help Menopause?
Can fruits and veggies help Menopause?
Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain cereal products that are rich in vitamin C and carotene. It mainly includes oranges, grapefruit, carrots, winter squash, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and green leafy vegetables. Consumption of fruits and veggies during menopause gives rise to the formation of certain kind of bacteria in the intestine. It likely causes the indigestion of food and the bowel movement is also in a weak position. It gives rise to growth of fat all over the abdomen making it look like a bulky part of your body. This condition is termed as menopause bloating.
It is advised to follow a pre-planned diet pattern that goes hand in hand in supporting you to face them with the suitable strength. Fruits and veggies have to be strictly incorporated in your diet. Consumption of fresh fruits could also benefit in improving your bowel movement. It also helps to get rid of symptoms like menopause spotting, vaginal dryness etc, where menopause bleeding may sometimes be a sign of cancer.
Choose 100% whole cereals and consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every single day. It contains full of vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoid that keep you young and healthy.
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Fruits- New price records in Ukraine
Fruit and vegetable index shows that, the price have been again increased in Ukraine last week. The growth of prices amounted to 1.4% weekly. Hence Ukrainian consumers’ fruit and vegetable basket kept on setting new price records in the country.
Borsch vegetables such as onions, cabbage, beets, carrots and potatoes increased in price averagely by 0.9% last week, primarily due to continued growth of prices for beets and carrots which are mainly imported now. 4% increase of fruit prices last week is mainly due to the growth of citrus and apple prices. Moreover, strengthening of the US dollar in Ukraine can lead to further increase of prices for imported fruits and vegetables in the near future.
Fruit-Inform Project’s analysts think that seasonal decrease of fruit and vegetable prices can be delayed by 10-14 days in 2011 due to cold spring.
The only product decreased in price was garden strawberries. Strawberry prices remain too high for this certain period of season due to relatively cold weather causing delays in crop ripening in southern regions of Ukraine.
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