(B.Appl Sci:Comp Med, Masters:Clin Chiro, B. Nursing)
INCA BERRIES
Inca berries are a great addition to a trail mix and go perfectly with a mouthful of almonds and raisins. Yum!
JUNIPER
BERRY
Juniper berries are frequently used in
herbal medicine preparations (especially in regards to chronic urinary tract
infections and lung congestion). The essential oil of juniper berry has
diuretic properties, gastrointestinal irritant and antiseptic properties and is
in fact used to flavour gin!
Traditionally, Juniper berries also
are recommended for joint pain, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as nerve,
musculoskeletal and skin conditions such as psoriasis. The antibacterial and
antifungal properties of juniper berry essential oil are well documented in the
research that exists.
KALE
Kale is not everyone’s cup of tea, especially
when added to juice! (what a terrific detox though!). However, kale is a very
healthy dark green leafy vegetable (that has 45 different flavonoids). It is
packed full of chlorophyll and healthy minerals and vitamins.
Research suggests that this
green superfood has cholesterol-lowering benefits (if cooked by steaming) as
well as anti-cancer benefits (including bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and
prostate cancer). Kale also has antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory benefits which may assist in chronic inflammation and
oxidative stress. In a nut shell, Kale is incredible for you!
KIWI
Kiwi fruits are tangy and tart when they are
not ripe and then super sweet when they have sat in your fruit bowl for a week
or so. They are the perfect addition to a colourful fruit platter and are bursting
with goodness. Did you know that the furry kiwi fruit is a great source of
vitamin A and C? And interestingly, when cut in half, the kiwi fruit resemble
the human eye and vitamin A is beneficial to macular and eye health.
The kiwi fruit are in fact native to China and were introduced to New Zealand by missionaries in the
early 20th century, for which its name came from, resembling the kiwi bird!
Their fuzzy skin
may deter some, however research suggests that the phytonutrients (antioxidants/
vitamin C/ flavonoids and carotenoids etc) contained in the kiwi fruit have the
ability to protect DNA from oxidative stress (in the nucleus/ power house of
human cells). So in the winter months, eat your kiwi fruit!
References:
Miller, HE etal. (2000). Antioxidant Content
of Whole Grain Breakfast Cereals, Fruits and Vegetables. J Am Coll Nutr . Vol. 19 (3). Pg. 312-319.
Pantelidis,
GE etal. (2007). Antioxidant capacity,
phenol, anthocyanin and ascorbic acid contents in raspberries, blackberries,
red currants, gooseberries and cornelian cherries. Food Chem, Vol 102 (3). Pg. 777- 783.
Collins BH et al.
(2001). Kiwifruit protects against
oxidative DNA damage in human cells and in vitro. Nutr Cancer. Vol 39(). Pg. 148-53.
Duttaroy A &
Jorgensen A. (2004). Effects of kiwi
fruit consumption on platelet aggregation and plasma lipids in healthy human
volunteers. Platelets . Vol 15(5). Pg. 287-292.
Pepeljnjak, S etal (2005) . Antimicrobial
activity of juniper berry essential oil (Juniperus communis L., Cupressaceae).
Acta Pharm. Vol. 55. Pg. 417–422.
