Recent researches have shown that regular fruit juice intake enhances antioxidants in the human body system which is necessary for a wholesome healthy life.
This was disclosed by Olusola Malomo, a registered nutritionist and National Publicity Secretary of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN), at the November edition of his monthly healthy living dialogue - an initiative supported by Chivita as part of its ‘No-added Sugar Campaign’.
According to Malomo, while food is widely believed to be an important source of the key nutrients the body needs for growth, development and maintenance of tissues. New findings have revealed that fruits (which include 100% or pure fruit juices) and vegetables are the primary sources of antioxidants in our diet.
The research indicated a strong positive correlation between the consumption of fruit juice and antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential for preventing premature ageing, vision loss, mood disorders, and heart diseases.
Antioxidants are found in certain foods and may prevent some of the damage free radicals cause in the human body by neutralizing them. Factors that increase the production of free radicals in the body can be internal such as inflammation, or external, such as, pollution, UV exposure, and smoking.
The nutritionist, who is also a dietician, stated that it has been proven that 100% fruit juices made from orange, apples, Pineapple, Red Grapes, raspberries, strawberries, red currants, cherries, pears, guava, mangos, and watermelon are rich in antioxidants.
“100% fruit juice contains bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. As such, fruit juices have the potential to improve the antioxidant status in the body,” he stated
As humans, he said, we all desire a healthy life, and as such rely heavily on the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals derived from our daily food consumption to stay healthy.
‘’Regardless of your motive for food consumption, be it for pleasure or remedy, one of the best measures to building and sustaining a healthy lifestyle is to regularly complement mealtimes with antioxidant-rich food and beverages such as vegetables and 100% fruit juice.” He concluded