Tomato, or “Love Apple”, One of a Few Fruits Which is Used as a Vegetable

Despite being a fruit, one of the items you’ll rarely find in a traditional fruit basket is a tomato. Tomatoes are used in salads, sauces, ketchups and as garnishments for sandwiches or other plates as a vegetable and one of the reasons that may be true is that tomatoes don’t typically possess the sweetness associated with most other fruits. Nonetheless, the tomato is a fruit which is believed to have originated in the Andean regions of central and north South America.

The tomato plant spread to Central and North America along with corn during human migrations to North America over 2,000 years ago. European explorers discovered “tomatas” growing in Mexico and brought them back to Europe in 1523 where they were considered poisonous (and dangerous) due to their strong odor and bright red berries.

Tomatoes were first used as food by the Italians who considered the tomato to be an aphrodisiac and called the tomato the “love apple”. In the late 1700’s Italian immigrants to the United States were the first to include tomatoes as part of their regular diet. French settlers in the same time period used tomatoes as ketchup. Thomas Jefferson is thought to have been the first president to cultivate the tomato in his garden in 1781.

Tomatoes are a good source of Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Folate and Potassium. The Lycopene in tomatoes is an antioxidant that is known to protect against some cancers. Tomatoes have been used to treat dyspepsia, liver and kidney ailments, and constipation. Only negatives are that tomatoes may cause allergies, indigestion or heartburn.

Garlic Wards off More Than Evil Spirits

The garlic plant and its pungent aroma has acquired quite a reputation for warding off evil spirits and the affections of others, but it turns out garlic actually possesses important medicinal qualities. Originating in western Asia, garlic has been grown since the time of the Egyptians .The Egyptians placed garlic in the tombs of kings and also gave it to the slaves building the tombs to ward off infection. In medieval Europe garlic was hung outside doors to deter witches. And, of course, most everyone is well aware of garlic’s role in warding off blood thirsty vampires.

Modern science has now proven, however, that garlic does indeed possess some highly valued medicinal attributes. Garlic has powerful antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties and is effective for digestive complaints, bowel disorders, and insect stings. Current research indicates garlic has the ability to lower blood cholesterol levels and the chance of heart attack. There is also a lower incidence of colonic and other types of cancer where garlic is a part of the daily diet.

The characteristic odor associated with garlic is created by two chemicals that combine to form the bactericide allicin. One potential remedy for counter-acting the bad breath caused by garlic is the eating of parsley.

Peppers Can Pack a lot of Heat, and a lot of Nutritional Value

Sweet and hot peppers are native to Central and South America. Dating back to the time of the Aztec Empire, pepper seeds have been found in Mexican settlements as far back as 7,000 B.C. Peppers are also among the many New World discoveries credited to Christopher Columbus.

The larger bell-shaped peppers, mild tasting peppers eaten as vegetables, are members of the Capsicum Annuum Grossum Group. Green when immature, different cultivars ripen to yellow, orange, red or black. Bell peppers ripen only on the vine and peppers grow sweeter as they ripen which is why red peppers are sweeter than yellow peppers, and yellow peppers are sweeter than green peppers.

The smaller Chili peppers, often used for flavoring, are classed in the C.a. Longum group. Chili peppers are best known for their fiery taste which is caused by alkaloid capsaicin. The heat scale of peppers is measured by Scoville units which can range from 600 units for mild chilies to the mouth burning amount of 200,000 – 350,000 units for habanero peppers.

The capsaicin in peppers provide medicinal value and is known to increase the blood flow and is often used in muscle liniments. Capsaicin also  

•   Helps the body metabolize alcohol;
•   Acts as an expectorant;
•   Prevents and alleviates bronchitis and emphysema;
•   And, stimulates endorphins, killing pain and inducing a sense of well-being.

Peppers have considerable nutritional value as well. In addition to being low in calories, peppers are a better source of Vitamin C than citrus fruits. Deeply colored peppers also contain ingredients that can aid in the prevention of cancer:

•   Bioflavonoids (plant pigments) that can help prevent cancer;
•   Phenolic acids, which inhibit formation of cancer causing nitrosamines;
•   Plant sterols, precursors of Vitamin D that are believed to prevent against cancer.

Most importantly, steaming or stir-frying peppers do not significantly lower their nutritional value. So add peppers to your weekly diet as hot as you are comfortable eating.

Blueberries are a Healthy, Deliciously Sweet Fruit to add to your Diet

Blueberries are low shrubs, in the same plant family as cranberries, which are native to Europe. Blueberries have since become a traditional American fruit with different species flourishing in different regions of the country: Highbush, Swamp, and Rabbit Eye in warmer areas, and Lowbush, Low, Sweet Blueberry in northern areas. Blueberries replaced Huckleberries which were once favored by the Scots in the
Highlands for canning until American blueberries came on the market.

While not loaded with vitamins and minerals, Blueberries provide some important health benefits when added to your regular diet:

•      Blueberries may help prevent urinary tract infections by making urine more acidic, which helps destroy bacteria that invade the bladder and urethra;
•   Blueberries contain anthromyacins which may help prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer;
•          Blueberries may help against intestinal upsets;
•          Blueberries are a good source of Vitamin C and Iron;
•          Blueberries are a good source of dietary fiber;
•          Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants.

The primary negative with regard to blueberries is that they may cause allergic reactions in some people. So load up your shopping cart with fresh blueberries and start enjoying their many health benefits.

Spinach: A Highly Nutritious and Versatile Food for Every Meal

Spinach, the food which will forever be associated with comic strip legend Popeye the Sailorman, is actually native to southwest Asia and was first cultivated by the Persians. Spinach was also known to be grown in China in the 7^th century A.D. The Moors introduced spinach to Spain sometime in the 10^th century. In contrast to popular belief created by Dr. E von Wolf in research he conducted in 1870 spinach does not contain exorbitant amounts of iron. This notion was disproved in 1937 when researchers discovered that Dr. von Wolf’s calculations were off by one decimal point.

Spinach is, however, a rich source of vitamin A (as beta carotene), Vitamin K, Folate and Potassium, as well as, Vitamin C, Vitamin B(6) and riboflavin. The primary negative about spinach is that the oxalic acid it contains reduces iron and calcium absorption and can accelerate formation of kidney and bladder stones.

Spinach is believed to be good for such maladies as anemia, heart or kidney problems, and in improving overall vitality and debility. Research has shown that those that eat spinach daily are less likely to develop lung cancer. Spinach leaves contain oxidants and bioflavonoids that help block cancer-causing substances and processes. Of all the vegetable juices, spinach juice is said to be the most potent for prevention of cancer cell formation. And because iron is in a soluble form, any water left after cooling spinach can be consumed.

Spinach is a highly versatile food which can be cooked with eggs at breakfast, in salads or soups at lunch, and as a side with dinner entrees. No excuses for not eating your spinach.

Mom was Right: Broccoli Loaded with Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Hard to imagine anyone with childhood memories not remembering how your mother would beseech you to eat your broccoli. Well, it turns out Mom was right. Broccoli is a vegetable chock full of vitamins and minerals which have been found to aid in preventing certain types of cancers by blocking hormones that stimulate  growth of tumors.

Broccoli is an Italian word derived from brachium, the Latin word for arm. Broccoli originated in the mid-eastern part of Mediterranean, most likely Italy. It dates back to the Roman Empire and was described by Pliny in the 1^st century A.D. Eventually Broccoli spread from Italy to Northern Europe, arriving in England in the 18^th century. The English referred to broccoli as “sprout cauliflower” or “Italian asparagus”. Broccoli was introduced to North America by Italian settlers I the 17^th Century.

Whether fresh, steamed or frozen, broccoli maintains much of its nutritious value making it one of the healthiest foods to keep in your weekly diet. Broccoli’s healthy bounty of vitamins and minerals include:

•     Excellent source of vitamin C;
•         Good source of beta carotene and folate;
•         Significant amounts of protein, calcium, iron and potassium;
•        Rich source of glucosinolates, an effective natural cancer fighter for cancers of the colon, breast, cervix, lungs, prostate, esophogas, larynx, and bladder.

In addition, broccoli is low in calories and high in fiber. The only drawback of eating too much broccoli unfortunately may be occasional flatulence.

Despite Pungent Taste, Onions Provide Healthy Part of Diet

From the earliest periods in history, onions have been thought to possess magical and medicinal powers. The Egyptians cultivated onions and used them as part of their mummification process by placing them near the thorax, pelvis and eyes. Alexander the Great reportedly fed huge amounts of onions to his troops to strengthen them for battle. The Romans cultivated several varieties across the ancient empire. And the Irish rubbed onion on their scalps believing onions helped cure baldness.

Onions are members of the Allium plant family which includes garlic, leeks and shallots. There are two basic categories of onions:

•          “Spring” onions: these onions have a mild flavor and both green tops and bulbs are edible;
•          “Global” onions: these onions have a pungent flavor; dry outer skins are discarded.

Onions are most often used as a garnish in salads, sandwiches, stews, soups, omelets and side dishes.

A good source of Vitamin C and Beta Carotene, onions provide several important benefits for maintaining a healthy cardio vascular system.

•          Onions are rich in adenosine which hinders clot formation and therefore helps prevent heart attacks;
•          Onions raise the level of protective HDLs (High Density Lipoproteins);
•          Onions are believed to be helpful in preventing high blood pressure.

In order to receive the optimal health benefits from onions it is recommended that they eaten raw or minced.