We have all heard the old saying, ?An apple a day will keep the doctor away?. Australian researches have found that an apple a day may just keep the arthritis doctor away. This is another example that our mothers were right when they told us to eat our fruits and vegetables and we will grow up healthy. The research showed that people with levels of vitamin C were less likely to have bone changes associated with knee arthritis. The study also showed that certain carotenoids found in green vegetables, such as the lutein and zeaxanthin also helped prevent cartilage abnormalities in the knee. Carotenoids are natural fat-soluble pigments found in certain plants.
So before we get to the details of the study go grab and apple, orange or some broccoli and start munching your way through the details of the study.
This was a ten year study that included 193 middle aged men and women. All of the participants were free of knee pain when they started the study. They were all given detailed questionnaires about their diets. At the end of ten years they had their knees examined with MRI scans. The results show that on average those who consumed more vitamin C at the beginning of the study had the least amount of bone changes in their knees. The researchers also looked at the overall fruit consumption, which showed the same results. They also found that those who consumed more green vegetables especially those high in carotenoids had less overall cartilage defects in their knees.
The reason for this is probably simple. Vitamin C and other nutrients aid in our bodies ability to process calcium. The better our bodies process calcium the stronger and healthier our bones and cartilage will be. The study looked specifically at the bones in the knee. It is to be expected that people with diets high in vitamin C, carotenoids and other healthy nutrients will not only have less bone changes in their knees but healthier bones through out their bodies.
So next time you hear that guy on TV tell you to get your five servings of fruits and vegetables listen to your knees and grab some fruit. And if you can not listen to him, listen to the words that are permanently branded in your brain from you mother, ?don't forget to eat your vegetables.?
We've all heard the saying "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Presumably, the vitamin C content of apples is the easiest way to keep our immune systems functioning well. But the truth is that apples are not the best source of this key vitamin. Some say the greatest vitamin in the world is vitamin C.
Vitamin C can be found in a wide range of fruits and even vegetables. So there's no reason why everyone can't get their daily dose from something they enjoy eating. In fact, there are so many good sources that you could get yours from a different food every day of the month!
Some of the best foods for getting vitamin C may surprise you. Sure apples are fine with their 6 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit. But even the humble orange compares well with 53 mg, beating out grapefruits with their 34 mg What could be better than oranges?
How about a handful of fresh strawberries? They'll give you 57 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? But you can do even better than that. The humble kiwi fruit beats them all, packing in a whopping 98 mg of them per 100 grams.
If you're lucky enough to live in a spot where you can get your hands on some guava, you're in luck. This tasty, tropical fruit clocks in with a very impressive 180 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams.
Even if you can't find it fresh, you can get the same benefits from canned guava. Another super-rich source is the tiny black currant. 100 grams of these potent berries will supply about 200 mg of them. That's the full recommended daily dose!
The quest for the ultimate source of vitamin C has led nutritionists to discover the delights of some very tropical findings. The most impressive levels can be found in jujube, camu camu and acerola. If you haven't seen those in your local supermarket don't worry, there are plenty of other ways to get your vitamins.
Most of us aren't surprised to find them in fruit, but what is surprising is how easy it is to find in vegetables. Unlikely sources like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower are great for people trying to cut down on their carbohydrates without letting their nutrition suffer.
Even using fresh herbs like coriander, parsley and thyme can boost your intake of them. But if you really want a vegetable that will provide a substantial dose of this important vitamin, look no further than sweet green or red peppers. Just 100 grams of green pepper will top up your vitamin C intake by 190 mg
So if you've been comparing apples to oranges all of these years, it's time to look at what else is available. There are so many wonderful foods that boost your vitamin C levels, your toughest decision may be which one to have first.
Both Rusty Ford & Mike Selvon are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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