Fruit Facts

Posts Tagged ‘Nutritional Fruits’

Is it essential to remove the seeds when making apple juice? Seeds are usually considered nutritious; however some are toxic. What are the fruits that have edible seeds?

Seeds are the agents for plant propagation. Many seeds have defenses against predators to ensure some would survive to germinate. Some seeds have thorns, stinging hairs or spines and others hold toxic compounds, which hinder with digestion and are not edible.

The seeds of apple, peach, plum, apricot, cherry, nectarines and almonds are toxic due to the part related to hydrocyanic acid. The toxic matter is also present in the leaves and stems. The large seeds of peach, plum, apricot, cherry and nectarine are hard and could be easily removed. The almond seeds that are obtainable in the market have been boiled and heat-treated to take away the toxic component making them palatable.

When a person eats a solitary apple seed, it is improbable to cause discomfort or serious illness. However, for daily consumption, it is preferable to remove the seeds.

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ISLAMABAD: The 15th National Mango and Summer Fruits Exposition 2006 would start from today (Friday) at the Zarai Taraqiati Bank, Zero Point, in Islamabad.

The three-day expo has been organized by the Horticultural Foundation of Pakistan in collaboration the Zarai Taraqiati Bank.

Policy makers, expatriates, exporters, researchers, fruit growers and representatives of fruit dispensation industries would attend the show. The event is intended at humanizing horticultural production and processing in the country.

Mango peeling and eating contest and display of fruit baskets would be added attractions. The show would be opened to public on Friday between 6pm to 8pm. RA Chughtai, the president of the Zarai Taraqiati Bank, would install the expo. Staff report.

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According to an article published in the International Journal of Cancer, lofty intake of fruits and vegetables might drastically decrease the risk of rising non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that begins in the cells of the lymph system that carries the spleen, thymus, tonsils, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and also circulating immune cells. Lymphocytes are the chief cells in the lymph system and live in two forms: B- and T-cells. Each of these cells serves a precise function in aiding the body fight infection.

In NHL an extreme amount of atypical (cancerous) lymphocytes build up in the lymph system. These lymphocytes could crowd and hold back the formation and function of other immune and blood cells.

1 Individuals who consumed the maximum amounts of fruits, vegetables, and/or eggs had a 50% reduced risk of developing NHL contrast to those who ate the fewest amounts of these foods.
2 Individuals who consumed the maximum amounts of cheese, pasta, or rice had a considerably increased risk of developing NHL compared to those who ate the lowest amounts of these foods.

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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.

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A latest study shows what mothers have been saying for years – fruits really are good for you.

Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that eating vegetables and fruits might cut cholesterol, prevent build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries and could give protection against heart disease, according to a study on mice.

Lead researchers Michael Adams charged the effect of a fruits diet on heat disease in mice.

The lab mice used in the study had been bred specially to develop atherosclerosis – a configuration of fatty plaques in the arteries which could lead to blocked blood flow frequently resulting in heart attacks and strokes.

The mice were divided into two groups – on group ate a fruits free diet, while the other half were given a diet rich in broccoli, green beans, corn, peas and carrots.

After 16 weeks, researchers deliberate the mice’ cholesterol. They found that the mice which had fruits in their diets had 38 percent less build-up of fatty deposits in their arteries.

“Although the pathways involved remain uncertain, the results indicate that a diet rich in green and yellow vegetables inhibits the development of hardening of the arteries and may reduce the risk of heart disease,” Adams said.

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Do you ever know what the freeze-dried fruits in some cereals are good for?

Although freeze-dried fruits are very small and light-weight, studies demonstrate that the antioxidant physiochemical found in the fruits’ fresh state are keeps at levels almost as high after freeze-drying. Studies also show that the physiochemical in freeze-dried fruits can reach our bloodstream.

Since the 1980s, one canvasser has been studying how the physiochemical in freeze-dried fruits, such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries, might protect against cancers of the colon and esophagus. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) has supported his work.

At AICR’s the majority new annual research conference, this researcher, Gary Stoner, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Environmental Health Sciences at Ohio State University, told the viewers why he uses the whole freeze-dried berry in its place of extracts. In addition to physiochemical like allergic acid, carotenoids and anthocyanins, the whole berry could contain significant amounts of vitamins C, E and folic acid. “Studies show that the substances in foods working together are more effective than any one in isolation,” he said.

In his studies, freeze-dried berries are opinion into a powder. After several experiments demonstrated that the fruit powder prevented colon tumors, small-scale human trials were begun. Now, some larger human trials have been launched to study the effects of the berry powder on precursors to colon and esophageal cancers. Dr. Stoner is also trying to expand an aerosol spray from the berries for use in lung cancer experiments.

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Fruits and vegetables have long been known to give vitamins, minerals and fiber essential for the normal, every day functioning of the human body. Research studies also have revealed that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables might decrease the risk for some cancers, heart disease and other chronic health problems. A recent appraisal of the literature also indicates that alternate fruits and vegetables (not usually considered for their weight loss properties) for more energy-dense foods could assist people lose and/or maintain their weight.

Here are some simple suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control for cutting calories by eating fruits and vegetables in its place of more calorie-dense foods.

Breakfast
Substitute green peppers, onions or mushrooms for one of the eggs or half the cheese in your omelet. The vegetables would add volume and flavor to the dish with fewer calories than the egg or cheese.

Cut back on the amount of cereal in your bowl to make room for sliced bananas, fresh peaches or strawberries. The benefits same sized bowl with less calories and more flavors.

Lunch
Substitute vegetables such as lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, grated carrots or onions for half to three-fourths of the meat and cheese in your sandwich, wrap or burrito. The new version would still fill you up but with fewer calories than the original.

Choose a vegetable-based soup rather than a meat or noodle-based one. If you’re making your own soup, add twice the chopped vegetables called for and half the meat or noodles. The vegetables would help fill you up, so you won’t miss those extra calories.

Choose an apple, orange or carrot sticks to go with your sandwich instead of chips or cookies.

Dinner
Add 1 cup chopped vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, squash or peppers while removing 1 cup of the rice or pasta in your favorite dish. The dish with the vegetables would be just as satisfying but have fewer calories than the original version.

Take a good look at your dinner plate. Vegetables, fruit and whole grains should take up half your plate. If they don’t, replace some of the meat, cheese, white pasta or rice with legumes, steamed broccoli, asparagus, greens or another favorite vegetable. This would reduce the total calories in your meal without reducing the amount of food you eat.

Snacks
Fruits and vegetables make wonderful low-calorie yet filling snacks. For instance, a medium-size apple, a medium-size banana or 1 cup of carrots, broccoli or bell peppers with 2 tablespoons of hummus all contain 100 calories or less.

Instead of a high-calorie snack from a vending machine, bring cut-up vegetables or fruit from home. One snack-sized bag of corn chips (1 ounce) has the same number of calories as a small apple, 1 cup of whole strawberries, and AN 1 cup of carrots with a quarter-cup of low-calorie dip.

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You hear a lot about the benefits of consumption fruits and vegetables, but the scientific processes following the results are seldom discussed.

Monday, the assistant director of UCLA’s Center for Human Nutrition did just that, shedding a light on a complex subject for a group of agricultural and food writers.

Simplifying years of research on how eating strawberries could decrease one’s chance of cancer, do wonders for the heart or stop the onset of neurological diseases, Navindra P. Seeram summed it up: “As we age, we’re under a lot of oxidative stress, and the oxygen, believe it or not, can actually cause a lot of damage. Eating fruits and vegetables offsets the oxidation because they hold the right nutritional compounds.

“And if you consistently consume these compounds, you will ward off the stress those results in disease.”

Although Seeram might have talked all day on the benefits of eating berries — raspberries, strawberries or blueberries — he kept his speech short.

But it was full of facts, which the Watsonville-based California Strawberry Commission is annoying to impress upon the public to promote good health and sell berries.

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CATANZARO, Italy–A meta-analysis by scientists starting the University of Magna Grecia Medical School and the Second University of Naples Medical School exposed intake of fruits and vegetables is inversely related with occurrence of oral cancer. They published their findings in the May issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (83, 5:1126-34, 2006).

The researchers conducted a comprehensive, methodical bibliography search of medical literature for applicable studies published up to September 2005, conducting a divide analysis for fruit and vegetable expenditure. In addition to calculating the effect of daily ingestion on oral cancer risk, they performed a multivariate meta-regression analysis to explore heterogeneity, examining the quality score, type of cancers incorporated, citrus fruit and green vegetable consumption and the time gap for dietary recall of the relevant studies.

In the end, 16 studies (15 case-controlled and one cohort) met the criterion for inclusion. These trials showed each portion of fruit and/or vegetable addicted per day reduced the risk of oral cancer by 48 percent. Individually, increased vegetable consumption was connected to considerably reduce overall risk of oral cancer by 50 percent; and, fruit consumption’s reduction of oral cancer risk was dependent upon the type of fruit and span of time interval to dietary recall.

The researchers concluded consumption of fruits and vegetables is related with a reduced risk of oral cancer.

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NEW DELHI: India, the world’s largest mango maker, is set for a big push to sell its succulent “king of fruits” to countries like Japan and the United States, officials say.

The mango is inhabitant to India, which grows 12mn tones of the fruit, more than half the world’s output.

But India’s exports amount to just 7% of the world mango deal, according to government figures.

“It’s almost negligible – peanuts,” said A S Rawat, from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

But APEDA expects Indian mango exports to go up sharply in the next year, and has been operational hard to open up markets like Japan and the United States.

“You can safely presume a 50% (rise) next year,” S Dave, the export group’s director, said.

His hopefulness is based in part on what appears to be rehabilitated interest in both the United States and Japan for the mango.

“The United States is looking forward to eating Indian mangoes,” US President George W Bush said on a visit to India in March in what was dubbed “mango diplomacy” by the Indian media.

Right now India exports about 65,000 tones of mangoes, up from now under 50,000 tones five years ago, typically to Europe and the Middle East. It began selling to China two years ago.

“Definitely we need to increase (shipments) . we have a niche product and people know our varieties,” Rawat said.

But with more than 1,000 varieties of mangoes, in dissimilar hues, shapes, sizes, it hardly seems likely that foreign consumers can be acquainted with all of them.

Meanwhile, a group from the United States Department of Agriculture is arriving this week to work out technological issues, US embassy spokesman David Kennedy said.

“I think it’s hopeful,” said Kennedy. “We’re working on it with the regulatory authorities.”

Kennedy will not comment on when American consumers may be able to buy Indian mangoes, but Dave, of the Indian export group, said he expected it to happen by next year. -AFP

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