Best Cancer Fighting Fruits - Berries

By Dexter Yarbrough. This message is for you. Yes. I am writing to you. Yes, darn it! I am concerned about you. I am concerned about your high fat diet. I am concerned that the chips, pork chops, hot dogs, cookies and high fructose syrup are causing you to age prematurely. Oh, and let's not forget about the triple-double-single super dooper cheesboiger (sorry, Chicago dialect) you crave. These foods, along with the lack of exercise, are allowing cancer cells to take ownership of your body. It is time to start taking back control of what you put into your mouth. Just look at you! Mayonnaise, ketchup and boiger juice dripping down your chin!

It's time to try some foods that will have you looking great and feeling better in no time!

Berries are extremely nutritious. As you may be aware, berries are full of vitamins and minerals. They are especially rich in vitamin C and fiber. In addition, berries have no fat and have the lowest carbohydrate count of most fruits.

Research continuously shows that berries help slow down the aging process, boost immunity and protect against those dreaded chronic diseases and many cancers. The different types of berries have unique benefits to your health, so add some variety to your diet.

If someone told me that the only food I would be able to eat for the rest of my life were berries, I would not put up a fight! They are a simple, sweet healthy food that can be added to a variety of dishes. There is no need to heat up the grill!

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, "We now know that blueberries are one of the best sources of antioxidants, substances that can slow the aging process and reduce cell damage that can lead to cancer."

The blueberry is one of the healthiest fruits around and is ranked number one when compared to other fruits and vegetables. Blueberries are good for your brain. They contain polyphenols, which help the part of the brain that takes care of regular maintenance. The powerful antioxidants in blueberries prevent free radical damage in your body. This means that the aging process slows down leading to longer life.

Aside from protecting the brain and fighting cancer, blueberries have been associated with protection against heart disease, glaucoma, vaicose veins, lower cholesterol and hemorrhoids.

Cherries are only around for a short time. Their season is only three months long. So get them while you can. The Bing cherry is the most popular and is best for snacking.

Cherries are rich in queritrin (a flavonoid that's a potent anti-cancer agent) and bioflavonoids (compounds that fight the pain from arthritis, gout and migraines) and melatonin (which may help you sleep). They also contain the soluble fiber pectin, vitamin C, beta-carotene and potassium.

Strawberries are delicious! Because they don't ripen any further once picked, choose shiny ones with a deep red color. Like other berries, strawberries contain phytonutrients that make it a heart-protective, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory fruit. They help protect the brain from oxidative stress and age-related decline. Strawberries also fight the macular degeneration of the eyes. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, manganese, fiber and iodine and they contain potassium, folate, riboflavin, magnesium and copper.

Because cranberries are so tart, they are not usually eaten raw but instead baked into pies, juiced or cooked into cranberry sauce. Nonetheless, they are rich in antioxidants (preventing heart disease and cancer) and play a role in preventing peptic ulcers.

The most popular use of cranberries is to treat urinary tract infections. Researchers have found that cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which inhibit bacteria, including E. coli, from adhering to the urinary tract, thus protecting it from infection.

Wild blackberries are actually related to the rose, and, like a rose, they grow on a thorny bush. Because they're highly perishable (like all berries), blackberries should be used the same day they're bought and washed just prior to eating. You can also freeze them by placing them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and then, once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container. They'll keep for about six months.

Blackberries contain antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and ellagic acid, all of which may protect against cancer and fight chronic disease. They're also rich in the soluble fiber pectin, which may help lower cholesterol and potassium.

Raspberries have a long history--they can be traced back to pre-historic times - but began to be grown widely in the 19th century, when many new varieties, including the loganberry and boysenberry, were developed. Raspberries have a sweet, tangy taste that makes them a popular treat for snacks, desserts, salads, cereals, sauces, baking, jams, jellies and more.

Raspberries are rich in phytonutrients for antioxidant, anti-microbial and anti-carcinogenic protection. Chief among these is ellagic acid, the potent cancer fighter. Raspberries have also been found to help prevent macular degeneration and they contain manganese, vitamin C, riboflavin, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber and copper.

Modern day studies have found many benefits to goji berries, including fighting cancer and protecting the liver. Goji berries contain 18 amino acids, 21 trace minerals, linoleic acid, more beta carotene than carrots, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E, selenium and germanium.

It's said that a handful of goji berries in the morning will make you happy for the rest of the day. Traditionally, they're regarded as a potent food for longevity, strength and sexual virility and are grown in Tibet in protected valleys that contain million-year-old soil that's reportedly untouched by pollutants or pesticides.

Goji berries are deep red in color and about the same size as a raisin. They taste like a cranberry combined with a cherry, and are typically eaten dried or in juice form.

No matter what type of berry you choose, their versatility provides you with endless opportunities to fit them into your diet. For example:

• Mix blackberries into yogurt for a healthy snack
• Puree raspberries with olive oil for a sweet and tangy marinade for fish or poultry
• Add blueberries on your cereal
• Dried cranberries are a sweet addition to any salad

OK. So now you have plenty of information to start eating more healthy. No one is saying you can't indulge from time to time. Moderation is the key my friend. When you have a craving for that massive cheeseboiger, just remember, you have choices.

Berries are good for your brain. They may help you lose weight. They are good for your eyes. Berries help slow down the aging process. They are cancer fighting.

So, I end as I began. I am concerned about you. I care about you. Now it's time for you to start caring - about you. - Dexter Yarbrough

Copyright 2011