Fruit Facts

Posts Tagged ‘multiple fruits’

Fruit juices including GrapeFruits, Orange and Apple can dramatically reduce the effectiveness of heart and cancer drugs. Potentially the medicines could be rendered useless if they are taken at the same time as drinking juice, Canadian researchers said.The evidence emerged from a study in which grapefruit juice was found to shut certain drugs out of the body.Other fruit juices, notably orange and apple, are thought to have the same effect.

Patients consuming fruit or juice to be healthy run the risk of wiping out the benefits of their medicines — among them vital treatments for heart disease, cancer, organ transplant rejection and infection, the scientists warned. For 20 years it has been known that grapefruit juice can boost the potency of some drugs, increasing the risk of an overdose. Some prescription drugs now carry labels warning patients not to drink grapefruit juice or eat fresh grapefruit at the same time as taking the medicines.

The new research, presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia in America, shows that taking fruit juices with drugs may negate their effects. In tests, healthy volunteers took fexofenadine — an antihistamine used to fight allergies. They swallowed the drug with either a single glass of grapefruit juice, water containing naringin — the chemical responsible for the fruit’s bitter taste –or plain water. When the medicine was taken with grapefruit juice, only half as much of the drug was absorbed into the body as it was with water.

Study leader Professor David Bailey, from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, said losing half of a drug dose could be critical.” The concern is loss of benefit of medications essential for the treatment of serious medical conditions,” he said. Grapefruit, orange and apple juices all lowered the absorption of the anti-cancer agent etoposide, Prof Bailey added. They also reduced the potency of certain beta blockers — used to treat high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks

Popularity: 9% [?]

The Rawalpindi Sunday bazaars prices of food items at weekly witnessed a mixed trend on Sunday, as the prices of vegetables slightly dropped and the prices of fruits and poultry products increased.

Stallholders told Daily Times that prices of vegetables had dropped due to improvement in their supply. However, the stallholders said it was usual that prices of vegetables decrease during summer season, as there were no godowns where the traders could store the vegetables.

On Sunday, onions were being sold at Rs 55 per five kg, potatoes price decreased from last week’s Rs 148 to Rs 145 per 5 kg this week. Garlic (Chinese) was being sold at Rs 28 per kg and its local variety at Rs 30 per kg as compared to its last week price Rs 34 per kg. Ginger price also decreased from Rs 62 to Rs 60 per kg this week. Green chillies were being sold at Rs 48 per kg this week as compared to Rs 60 per kg last week.

Ladyfinger price also decreased from Rs 70 per kg last week to Rs 60 per kg this week, however, there was no change in price of bitter gourd, which were being sold at Rs 40 per kg.

Cucumbers were being sold at Rs 20 per kg against Rs 18 per kg last week. The price of tomatoes also witnessed an increase as they were being sold at Rs 40 per kg against Rs 24 per kg last week. Lemon price increased from Rs 56 per kg to Rs 68 per kg. There was no change in prices of cabbage and radish as they were being sold at same prices of last week Rs 16 and Rs 12 per kg respectively.

Good quality bananas were being sold at Rs 40 per dozen against Rs 30 per dozen last week, apple at Rs 70-60 per kg against Rs 80-65 per kg last week, pear (Chinese) at Rs 70 per kg against Rs 65 per kg last week, guava at Rs 45 per kg against Rs 40 per kg last week. The price of dates remained same as that of last week Rs 100 per kg. Oranges were being sold at Rs 80 per dozen this week against Rs 60 per dozen last week price.

Chicken was being sold at Rs 130 per kg this week against Rs 120 per kg last week, eggs at Rs 52 per dozen against Rs 54 per dozen last week. Fish was being sold at Rs 220, Rs 170 and Rs 155 per kg according to its varieties against last week’s prices Rs 210, Rs 150 and Rs100 per kg respectively.

Popularity: 13% [?]

Stay away from foods that are high in calories, instead have foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. A full diet consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and good fat. Whole grains mean bulgur, oatmeal, whole cornmeal, brown rice, popcorn and quinoa. Good fats are unsaturated fats. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are part of a healthy diet, and should be eaten in moderation. Monounsaturated fats include avocado, seeds, nuts and nut butters, olive, canola, peanut, sunflower and sesame oils. Polyunsaturated fats are also known as omega 3 fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fats are found in fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and trout. These fats are also found in flax seed, walnuts, and soybean, corn and safflower oils.

Instead of drinking soda, drink water. Instead of fruit juice eat the whole fruit instead. It has fewer calories. In a day drink at least 8-10 glasses of water. This can reduce your calorie intake and you will not face dehydration problem.

Power foods are rich in antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories. Flaxseed is rich in omega 3 which can reduce the risk of heart disease, and cardiovascular problems. Flaxseed can be added to yogurt, breakfast cereal or salads. Avocado is rich in heart healthy fat, antioxidants, fiber and other nutrients. Blueberries are low in calorie. It improves concentration and memory.

Try to exercise regularly. Exercise can reduce stress and anxiety. Instead of using elevator, try to use stairs. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep. Try to sleep for 6-8 hours.

Popularity: 27% [?]

Visit Pishin at this time of the year and one would find thousands of acres of fruit orchards. The loaded harvest of apples, grapes, plums, peaches, and apricots is seen everywhere. The discovered the area, and the taste of the fruit, during a stay at the School of Infantry and Tactics, Quetta when we used to walk miles and miles for training maneuvers. It is still the same.

Legend attributes the origin of the name Pishin to a son of the Emperor Afrasiab. Until the middle of the 18th century, when Quetta lastly passed into the hands of Brahvi rulers, the history of Pishin is equal with the area of Kandahar. The earliest mention of Pishin is found in the ancient writing in which “Pishinorha” is described as a dale in an elevated part of the country containing a barren level plain.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Hawaii growers of tropical specialty fruit now are producing a record 1.5 million pounds of fresh fruit a year, according to latest figures from agriculture officials.

That figure, issued Friday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service Hawaii Field Office, covers 2005 and is up 41 percent from 2004.

Higher yields from growing orchards played a role in the dramatic increase, but harvested land also rose 14 percent, suggesting that the record volume is not a jinx but represents a genuine jump in Hawaii’s tropical specialty fruit production.

Sales volumes, measured at the planter selling level, also hit a record in 2005, $2.7 million, up 40 percent from 2004.

Popularity: 3% [?]

WEDNESDAY– Folks with a sweet tooth know they’re wan to candy bars and ice cream. But research suggests this set also finds fruit more attractive a fact that can be turned to their advantage.

“The take-home message here is that if you are a self-identified sweet lover, try to replace a few sugary snacks with more healthful sweet snacks that are packed with nutrients, not just sugar and calories,” said Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

She wasn’t concerned in the study, which was led by Brian Wansink, director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

“If someone does have a sweet tooth, the same desire for sugar that leads them to eat candy is also the same desire that leads them to be predisposed to fruit,” Wansink said.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Carbohydrates often get a bad rap: they make us fat, they source diabetes, and they rouse our appetites. When people think of carbohydrates, they frequently conjure up images of cake, bread, or pasta. The truth is that carbohydrates are one of the three main nutrients found in our diet, along with protein and fat — and we require them to stay healthy.

Our bodies need carbohydrates for energy. Yet, different protein and fat, there is no daily optional requirement. Carbohydrates are the body’s favored energy source — whether as a ready source (consumed as a carbohydrate) or a longer-term one (converted from protein and fat). However, we require carbohydrates for energy (it takes too long to exchange protein to carbohydrates for quick energy).

Calories are fattening, not carbohydrates. In fact, each carbohydrate has four calories per gram of food — the precise same calories as a gram of protein. Fat, on the other hand, has nine calories per gram. Even though carbohydrates have the similar calories as protein, they have dissimilar metabolic effects on the body. Protein has a neuron-chemical effect on the brain to make you feel more pleased, or fuller, when you eat.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Tholen – In April, the fresh generate sector led for the fourth successive month the sell abroad from the Valencian Community, representing 17, 8% of the total export and € 208 mln. In fact, the export throughout the first fourth months of this year augmented to more than € 1090 mln. With an 18, 3% market share.

In this sense, Cirilo Arnandis, president of the Spanish new produce cooperatives and citrus cooperatives of the Valencian Community, harassed the strategic character of the main sector in the Valencian economy, for its ability of involving the auxiliary dispensation industry that has its authentic economic consequence in the production of agricultural products, also in the primary sector.

Therefore, the pains of the Valencian agricultural sector result in the foremost position of the export from the Valencian Community, being the key promoter of the Valencian agro-alimentary sector.

Popularity: 68% [?]

World banana production has augmented 11.1% since 1999; banana land has been extended 11.3% during this period of time. This information is given by “Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits” journal referring to FAO data. Around 73 mln. Tons of bananas were created on the acreage of 4.5 mln. Hectares in the world in 2005.

Bananas are grown in more than 110 countries, but first ten producers secure 70% of the gross production volumes. The world largest banana producers are India (16.8 mln. tons), Brazil (6.6 mln. tons), China (6.5 mln. tons), Ecuador (5.8 mln. tons). Apart from the mentioned countries, Philippines, Indonesia, Costa-Rika, Mexico, and Thailand belong to ten leading producers. Burundi completes this list with 1.5 mln. Banana production in 2005.

China has confirmed the best success among other leading manufacturer during 6 recent years. This country was able to make up banana production on 45% and to move from fifth to third place in the top banana manufacturers list. Brazil harvested 23% more bananas in 2005 comparing to 1999. Banana production has not changed much; Ecuador reduced 7% banana production volumes.

Popularity: 3% [?]

A sign in front of the Lopez Ranch fruit place, famous for its juicy cherries and peaches, reads “Sold Out.”

No one answers the phone at Sharp Ranch off Hoffman Lane, which is classically buzzing with fruit-picking customers this time of year. A programmed telephone message states, “We had a strange year with all the rain and we’re not certain about the cherries yet. Call back in two weeks.”

Memorial Day weekend, naturally the busy U-Pick season opener in Far East Contra Costa County came with a whimper, not a bang. The fruit just isn’t mature yet or is too sparse. For months, farmers have been forecasting a late season this time around.

They blame the schizophrenic winter, with its unusually warm days that deception fruit into blossoming early, only to drown those same blossoms afterward on with too much rain. Also, there weren’t enough “chill hours” throughout the January and February, which are required so fruit could hibernate. And the frosts that did approach came at the wrong times.

It’s too early to know the degree of scratch to the fruit economy, but farmers, being farmers, stay optimistic.

“We’re opening one ranch Saturday, but the other won’t open until June 10,” said Del Chiaro, who owns Seko Ranch and D.C.’s strange Cherries. “Usually Memorial Day Weekend is the big push, but we missed that.

“Hopefully people would know we’re open now.”

He said the good news is the season would still happen; it will just be a little late. Crops are spotty, but the fruit, which did make it through looks good.

“It’s a nice crop, really,” Del Chiaro said. “It’s just a matter of when it would be ready.”

Most U-Pick farms are opening in mid- to late June instead of the usual May — especially those selling peaches and nectarines that are particularly late bloomers this year.

Popularity: 2% [?]