Signatures, superfruit

FRUITS CONTAINING ALL FOUR SUPERFRUIT SIGNATURES IN HIGH AMOUNTS... 

A differentiating characteristic among superfruits is that only a select few are endowed with high amounts of all the superfruit signatures ... 

Dietary fiber deserves special discussion because it is a signature nutrient of superfruits and because it has an important range of health benefits not often appreciated by the public. So, let s shine some light on dietary fiber—especially the kinds found in certain superfruits. 

To help assure that you have a foundation of the high-content nutrients contained in most superfruits, lets summarize superfruit signatures ... 

A near-perfect natural health food, a raw whole orange embodies abundant nutrient and phytochemical diversity in a package you can open yourself Rich in fiber (include the white pith) and vitamin C, a juicy, delicious whole orange makes for an easy way to get the main superfruit signatures—fiber, antioxidant A-C-E vitamins, carotenoids, and polyphenols. Just one small navel orange equals one fruit serving. 

Overall, the research effort to identify health properties of the dried plum relies on two primary signatures for superfruit status—dietary fiber and mixed polyphenols. A Japanese research group has done much of the work on polyphenols, establishing a list of candidates for antioxidant or other cellular effects of prune compounds. Oligomeric proanthocyani-dins, chlorogenic acid, caffeoylquinic acid, various other phenolic acids, and lignans have exhibited antioxidant activity in test-tube studies. Each of these compounds is under research for potential beneficial roles supporting human health. 

The orange-yellow group is special in that it contains all of the superfruit signatures—prebiotic fiber, vitamin C, provitamin A carotenoids, and polyphenols. Experiment with these fruits to come up with a few you especially like, and then make them routine additions to your diet. Remember that the orange-yellow group is the most powerful for containing all superfruit signatures. 

Among these red-tan superfruits, mango (certain cultivars), red guava, and goji contain both orange-yellow carotenoids and red antho-cyanins. These three superfruits are also hard-to-beat sources of vitamin C and fiber, so they effectively supply the four superfruit signatures. 

Blue-purple-black superfruits are notable for having high contents of three of the primary superfruit signatures vitamin C, prebiotic fiber, and polyphenols, each fruit having dark blue-purple pigmentation. 

Think About Superfruit Signatures When Shopping... 

Given the complex nutrient and phytochemical content of superfruits, it may be too simplistic to say that one or a select few qualities—such as color—stand out as a distinguishing characteristic. Nevertheless, I do think fruit colors are a useful shopping strategy, because colors advertise a superfruit s signatures. Let s look more closely at superfruit signatures to determine which superfruits specifically contain the densest amounts, distinguishing them from the rest. 

In recognition that the superfruit category is still becoming known among the public, I want to give you a handful of five fruits to try that may be relatively unfamiliar and yet provide loads of taste, convenience of format, and a combination of superfruit signature qualities for nutrients and phytochemicals ... 

Seaberry jams with marzipan, berry pieces, pineapple, and orange peel are popular in Europe. Jams, jellies, and salad dressings offer familiar formats for getting to know the nutrient-dense but tart-tasting seaberry. Blackcurrant jam, for its part, contributes that unique mild bitterness resulting from its intense vitamin C and polyphenol contents—a reminder about the superfruit signatures inside. 

You might be asking, What about the signature we associate most with superfruits—the polyphenol antioxidants Let s dispel the antioxidant message about polyphenols right away, with two points. 

Superfruits Have Signatures. Natural Products Information Center, August 6, 2008. npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsatemp.aspx artic leid=21604 zoneid=251. 

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