Home >> All Categories >> May 2007
May 2007
You've probably heard much talk in recent years about the benefits of adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet. In the course of normal living, millions of chemical processes occur in our bodies each day.
All of these involve oxygen and some can create oxidant substances. These substances, more commonly known as free radicals, can cause cell damage and ultimately lead to disease.
Phytochemicals are chemicals synthesized from plants. When phytochemicals are present in food, they can have profound health benefits for the consumer. There are many kinds of phytochemicals, and our understanding of them is always evolving. Throughout the course of evolution, plants have developed the ability to synthesize certain chemicals.
Consequently, the animals that eat those plants benefit from the phytochemicals.
Olives are the edible fruits of the olive tree, an evergreen or shrub in the Oleaceae family. Olives are native to the eastern Mediterranean and areas surrounding the Caspian Sea. The olive is the source of olive oil, thus it is the most important agricultural resource in the Mediterranean.
Peppers (capsicum) are members of the nightshade family and have been cultivated for thousands of years in the tropical regions of America and South America. The fruit of peppers contain capsaicin, a chemical that produces a burning sensation when one tastes it, but different varieties of peppers contain different quantities of capsaicin.
There is some confusion as to the origin of the eggplant, but it has found a place on European dinner tables for centuries. Brought to Central and North America by Spanish and Portugese sailors during the 1500's, the plants thrive in American gardens. There are quite a few varieties of eggplant but the one we are most familiar with in American markets is called the globe eggplant.
When you're at the grocery store, look for the firmest and largest mushrooms. Mushrooms develop more flavor as they grow, and firmer mushrooms will have a longer fridge life. In most cases, mushrooms arrive at the market shortly after being hand picked. If mushrooms appear slimy or overly-moist, shop elsewhere. Mushrooms bruise easily, so handle them with care.
Kimchi is one of Korea's proudest culinary creations. 7th-century Koreans developed kimchi as a way to preserve vegetables during the winter. They discovered that over time, this pickled vegetable dish would not only remain edible but also develop different flavors through the fermentation process.
Page 2 of 2:
« Previous Page || Next Page »
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Twitter | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Public Relations | Advertise
© Copyright 2006-2008 WRL Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.
