Much has been said about the advantages of antioxidants but did you know that they are able to help fight a number of diseases and conditions and all this from something found in plants. The amazing property of these phytonutrients is they seem perfectly compatible with our own bodies and can work in conjunction with them to protect us from disease.

The research into these fantastic compounds continues with over nine hundred compounds discovered already; with these discoveries (and more to come), scientists believe the face of healthcare is changing, hopefully forever. There has been a whole host of discoveries made into the properties of these phytonutrients; cherries for instance are able to reduce the pain in joints and blueberries have anti-aging properties.

The humble blueberry (famous for homemade pies) has very low sugar content whilst having many antioxidants that are good for our health. Often the easiest way for people to take fruit is in juice form which are readily available all year round; regular consumption can help our circulation and increase our ability to combat illness. Antioxidants contained in these fruits can also help ward off and fight disease and infections we may suffer from. The chance of heart disease can be reduced by eating apples which also contain these nutrients.

Now citrus fruits too are showing that they have a use with a number of beneficial phytochemicals contained in them. Anti-inflammatory agents contained in tart cherries are proving beneficial for those with joint pain like arthritis and gout. Of course we already now about the benefits of certain vitamins and minerals, which have been available for some time. Another group of antioxidants called Phytoalexins (resveratrol) found in many berries can prevent infection and have anti-viral properties.

These amazing compounds seem to benefit the elderly with many properties that help reduce conditions found in aging like Alzheimer's, heart disease, blood pressure and stoke. Some cancers can also be prevented, along with heart disease, by eating tomatoes as part of a routine diet. There are a number of ways you can use tomatoes to gain the greatest antioxidant benefit from them and these include pureed, juice concentrate and sauce. Watermelons, recognized as a refreshing summer fruit also contain some of the most powerful phytonutrients yet found. People have been advised to eat more fruit (more than they currently consume) for some time but now the science behind this advice is finally beginning to show through.