Vitamins in Fruits & Vegetables

Vitamins in Fruits & Vegetables
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Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins and nutrients that can help lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of certain cancers and fight heart disease and stroke. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the amount of fruit and vegetables a person should eat varies based on ages and sex. For instance, a man between the ages of 18 and 30 should eat 3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit daily. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and your choice of what to eat can be based on what's in season or what vitamins you want to increase your intake of.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also called retinol, is essential for eye and skin health. Vitamin A is an anti-oxidant, helping your body fight free-radicals that can cause tissue and cell damage. Vitamin A is found in vegetables and fruits such as carrots, broccoli, kale, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe and red peppers.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C boosts the immune system and protects against cardiovascular disease, prenatal health problems, eye disease and skin wrinkling. Instead of chewing vitamin C tablets, enjoy your vitamin C through eating red and green peppers, kiwi, strawberries, sweet potatoes, kale, cantaloupe, broccoli, pineapple, Brussels sprouts, oranges, mangoes, tomato juice and cauliflower.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant that neutralizes free-radicals in the body that can cause cell degeneration. Vitamin E also improves circulatory functions and aids in blood-clotting. Vitamin E has been known to fight breast disease. Vitamin E can be found in spinach, broccoli, kiwi, mangoes and tomatoes.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is primarily beneficial for blood-clotting and the body's ability to repair itself and heal wounds. Find this beneficial vitamin in cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, cabbage and string beans.

B Vitamins

11 vitamins make up the group of B Vitamins. B vitamins reduce heart disease and stroke, ease stress, alleviate depression, help the nervous system and help break down carbohydrates. B Vitamins can be found in bananas, lentils, chili peppers, dark leafy vegetables, berries and beans.

References

Article reviewed by Matt Olberding Last updated on: Mar 23, 2010

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