Healthy Trends in Fruits and Vegetables

Nature offers us a bounty of health benefits when we consume vegetables and fruits. Here are some latest trends in how consuming veggies and fruits can help maintain our health.

Keywords Health, fruits, vegetables, greens, Trivita, b 12, vitamins, supplements,nutrafruits

Consumers are very health-conscious these days. They expect that producers give them varieties of veggies or fruits that have been optimized for good health. They are not that hesitant when it comes to trying new and exotic natural products. This has given rise to a healthy trend in consumer consumption of fruits and veggies.

One of the important trends in fruit and vegetable consumption is the increase in consumers buying rich, bright, colorful varieties. Potatoes have now arrived in specialty varieties. There are specials like Baby Dutch Yellow and Gemstone Potatoes both available from Melissa's online [1]. Though potatoes are not very nutritious they are a good source of carbohydrates, which our body needs. Specialty potatoes are said to be rich in anthocyanins which promote cardiovascular health [2]. There is also some research that says specialty potato extracts kill specific cancer cells in vitro.

The other noticeable trend is ‘superfruits'. A superfruit combines nutrient richness and antioxidants. Common superfruits are acai, blueberry, cranberry, grape, guarana, noni, pomegranate and sea-buckthorn. Common fruits like apples and oranges satisfy the criteria of superfruits. But manufacturers seem to be sticking an exotic label to superfruits. They currently seem to allow only novel fruits to achieve ‘superfruit' status.

Tart cherries, commonly found in cherry pies, were tested by the Michigan State University for health values. These were found to have high levels of anthocyanins 1 and 2. [3] The anthocyanins act like pain medication, and may ease the pain of gout and arthritis. Tart cherries also contain high levels of melatonin, which is an antioxidant and serves as a sleep aid. Tart cherries have now become part of jams, juices and raw food bars.

Cranberries are now known to contain anthocyanins and are used for treating urinary infections [4]. Consumption of pomegranates and products featuring pom juice has increased due to the finding that pom prevents plaque formation in cardiac vessels. [5]

Blueberries now find their place in sausages, smoothies, teas, and wines. (www.blueberry.org). What consumers seem to be doing, instead of consuming wholesome fruits, is that they are demanding beverages and nutraceutical formulations based on exotic but beneficial fruits and vegetables. This has given rise to manufacturers like FutureCeuticals to formulate new beverages and breakfast cereal bars based on exotic, natural ingredients. [6]

Potato and corn chips are now supplemented by the availability of vegetable-fortified chips. Campbell's V8 juice is available in exotic specials like Acai Mixed Berry. Consumers of V8 juice now take in purple carrots and sweet potatoes as part of the healthy vegetable juice.

A variety of tomatoes known as heirloom tomatoes (including tangerine tomato) is now widely available. Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, and include lycopene, associated with prostate health. [7] V8's High Fiber Juice contains four times the lycopene found in a medium-size red tomato.

Consumers are going nuts about the health benefits of nuts. Walnuts are seen as a rich source of essential fatty acids, like omega-6. Walnuts contain other antioxidants, and carotenoids, melatonin, and polyphenolic compounds. (www.walnuts.org).

Shortly, the market for fresh produce has shown a significant trend towards health-consciousness. Consumers are now reading the claims made on food product labels. Thus fresh produce marketers can tailor their messages to appeal to this populace.

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