POM Wonderful

Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D. Mother Nature knows that we use all of our senses to select our foods.  And while delicious flavors, appealing textures and enticing aromas are all important – nothing beats the visual appeal of a colorful array of fruits and vegetables. But nature’s bounty has provided us with more than just a lovely plate of food.  Fruits and vegetables contain thousands of phytonutrients – natural plant compounds that have far-reaching effects on our health. Many phytonutrients act as antioxidants, protecting the body’s cells against everyday damage that occurs from normal metabolic processes.  They also help to keep inflammatory processes in check.   And while not all phytonutrients provide color to foods, many of them do. For example, red-purple foods – such as pomegranates, cherries, berries and red grapes – are rich in anthocyanins, a family of phytonutrients that give these fruits their beautiful jewel tones.  Anthocyanins are strong antioxidants, and research suggests that they may benefit heart and brain function, and reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. Tomatoes are one of the richest sources of lycopene – a red pigment that belongs to the carotenoid family of phytonutrients – a group of antioxidant-rich compounds that also includes yellow-green lutein (found in spinach and avocados) and bright orange beta-carotene which gives carrots and cantaloupe their color. The message to eat more daily servings of fruits and vegetables has been ringing loud and clear for some time.  But just taking in more servings may not be enough – especially if you tend to eat the same foods all the time. Since each fruit and vegetable has its own unique phytonutrient profile – and varying degrees of antioxidant activity – it’s important to eat the widest range of fruits and vegetables to get the most benefit. And if that weren’t enough, combinations of fruits and vegetables eaten in a single meal – like a fruit salad or a mixed vegetable stir-fry – might deliver an even stronger antioxidant punch than when these foods are eaten alone. So, while adding more fruits and veggies to the diet is a great first step toward reaping the health benefits of natural phytonutrients, adding more combinations – and more colors – might be even better. - POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice is one of the richest natural sources of anthocyanins and has the highest antioxidant potency index among several healthy beverages.