Variety comparisons and diverse culinary forms, such as juices or dried extracts, determine the nutritional value and physiological impact of plant-based diets on systemic health.
Fruits contain fiber, phytochemicals and a variety of minerals and vitamins, particularly vitamins A, C, E and K, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Many fruits are also packed with minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc.
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Watermelons were thought to have originated in the Kalahari Desert of Africa and are now produced throughout the world, including in 44 U.S. states.
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Tart cherries are loaded with important nutrients, but you'd have to eat an entire bag of them to obtain all of the benefits you can get by sipping the juice.
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Like other summer squashes, zucchini is a healthy and flavorful vegetable that you can add to all different kinds of dishes. Use it in a pasta sauce, add it to a stir-fry or bake it into sweet loaves of quick bread.
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Coconuts grow on tall palm trees in tropical climates. The fruit of the coconut palm, coconuts are round nuts that start life green in color and turn brown as they ripen. To eat a coconut, you must break the seed in half. Inside a ripe coconut, you'll find fresh coconut meat and coconut milk.
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Pectin is a sugar found in the walls of plants that can be used as a gelling agent, especially in jams and jellies. Although many plants have pectin, the peel of citrus fruits such as oranges is particularly rich in pectin. According to a 2011 article in the "Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources,"
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Agent Orange is a type of herbicide. It was used throughout Vietnam during the Vietnam War between 1962 and 1971. The herbicide was used to kill vegetation that the enemy forces used for cover. After many military service people returned from war, they began to experience an array of health problems.
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Sweet and juicy blackberries are more than just a tasty treat; they're also full of beneficial nutrients and phytochemicals that boost your health. You can incorporate blackberries into your daily diet by tossing them into oatmeal, yogurt or salads, and they make a satisfying snack all on their own.
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Dried fruits offers some advantages over fresh fruits: a longer shelf life and portability. If you are watching your weight, dried fruits should be eaten in moderation as they contain significantly more calories per serving than fresh fruits.
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Blackberries grow naturally throughout much of the United States. In fact, they were a staple in Native American diets for thousands of years and were a favorite food of early European settlers. Today, you can find blackberries at most grocery stores, which makes it easy to enjoy their many health benefits.
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Nature made coconuts tough to open for the same reason it did other seeds -- to protect the embryo. When you open a coconut to extract its prized flesh, or endosperm, you have to go through several layers of protection: the outer skin, the husk, the shell and the seed skin.
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While we often think of cranberries as an ingredient in cranberry sauce or fall and winter baked goods, you can eat fresh, raw cranberries. Cranberries have numerous health benefits, including a high concentration of antioxidants.
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Dr. Pepper, a soft drink sold by the Dr. Pepper-Snapple Group, is known for its hard-to-define flavor. According to its official website, the beverage was invented by a pharmacist in 1885, which makes it America's oldest major soft drink brand.
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Leek and potato soup is not only tasty, inexpensive and filling, but it can also be a healthy meal option depending on the ingredients. While pre-made leek and potato soup can be hard to find on the shelf, the homemade version is fairly simple to make and allows greater control over the nutritional content.
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Eggplant is low in calories -- just 20 calories per cup, mostly from carbohydrates, a potent source of energy. It comes loaded with vitamins and minerals, but its health benefits extend beyond just adding vital nutrients to a meal.
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Pomegranates became wildly popular in the early to mid-2000s. They started showing up in large numbers in grocery stores, and pomegranate juices and syrups become widely available. Some of the fruit's popularity is probably due to its nutritional content.
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According to "Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice," the acidity in oranges coupled with their high vitamin C content makes them one of nature's perfect cures for acne. The orange peel as well as its juice can be used to treat your acne. According to "Braun-Falco's Dermatology,"
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The fruits of date palms pack a nutritional punch. At the same time they contain insignificant amounts of fat and have no cholesterol. The most common dates in the United States are the Medjool and Deglet Noor varieties, which boast relatively equal nutritional values.
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Mangoes make an excellent addition to a meal, or are tasty when eaten alone. There are different varieties of mangoes, but all have a soft, sweet taste. Mangoes may be considered an exotic fruit, and therefore are not as popular as traditional apples, oranges and bananas.
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A clementine is often just thought of as a small orange, but they are a fruit like no other. According to the USDA they are a cross between a Chinese mandarin and an orange, and they are packed full of nutritional benefits.
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