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Fruit Benefits

Dr. Chun

Organic Physiological Chemistry

Fall 2014

Chem 2614

Team members:

Jean-pierre Nna-mba

Kimberly Bennett

Cody Wilichowski

Chaz Nelson

Emily Adam

Background Information

Interested in food science!

Two horticulture majors and a food science major.

We like fruit!

Interested in learning about fruit benefits.

Does fruit really benefit your health?

Introduction

Project importance:

Informing our community (NWACC) about the advantages of eating fresh fruits.

How fruit relates to good health/health issues.

Researched fruits:

Bananas, Apples, Grapes, Strawberries, Juicing

Project overview

Research the benefits of fruits for human health.

Survey was used to determine the most popular fruits.

The reasons for consumption of those fruits.

Connection with organic chemistry.

Click on image for survey

Who did what?

Responsibilities:

Jean-pierre Nna-mba: Apple research

Kimberly Bennett: Grape research, survey data

Cody Wilichowski: Research bananas, written report

Chaz Nelson: PowerPoint, Strawberry research

Emily Adam: Juicing research

Content Objectives

Vitamins that fruit contain.

Methods and Technology

Technology Used:

Computer

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Apples

Antioxidants

are disease-fighting compounds. Scientists believe

these compounds help prevent and repair oxidation

damage that happens during normal cell activity.

Improve neurological health

Prevent cataracts

Boosts your immune system

Detoxify your liver

Apples Continued

Prevent from Diseases

Avoid Alzheimer’s

Protect against Parkinson’s

Curb all sorts of cancer

Get whiter, healthier

Contain important fibers such as pectin

Decrease your risk of diabetes

Reduce cholesterol

Get a healthier heart and good weight

Prevent gallstones

Beat diarrhea and constipation

Apples

Continued

Vitamins and Minerals

Note: the average size of an apple is 150 grams

Source: USDA

Bananas Cardiovascular Health

A first type of cardiovascular benefit from bananas is related to their potassium content. Bananas are a good source of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function

The effectiveness of potassium-rich foods such as bananas in lowering blood pressure has been demonstrated by a number of studies.

Digestive Benefits

Within their total fiber content, bananas also contain pectin. Pectin are unique and complicated types of fiber. Some of the components in pectin are water-soluble, and others are not. As bananas ripen, their water-soluble pectin increase, and this increase is one of the key reasons why bananas become softer in texture as they ripen.

Athletic performance

The unique mix of vitamins, minerals, and low glycemic carbohydrates in bananas has made them a favorite fruit among endurance athletes. Their easy portability, low expense, and great taste also help support their popularity in this exclusive group.

Grapes

One cup of red or green grapes has 104 calories, 1.09g protein, 0.24g fat, 1.4g fiber,

4.8mg vitamin C, 10 micrograms vitamin A, 288mg potassium, 0.54mg iron, and 3

micrograms of folate.

Antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are important for eye health.

Benefits – may prevent or slow some cancers, and lower risk of heart disease

and high blood pressure.

Phytochemical resveratrol, found in the skin of red grapes

Benefits – may help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, ease hot flashes and mood

swings related to menopause, and improve controlling glucose levels.

Flavonoids myricetin and quercetin help your body fight against harmful free

radicals.

Benefits – may reduce the risks of heard disease by lowering bad cholesterol.

Potassium and fiber

Benefits – potassium can lower blood pressure, and fiber along with high water

content can prevent or alleviate constipation.

• One cup of grapes = about 32 grapes

• Zeaxanthin (ze-a-zan-thin)

• Many types of cancer may be prevented or slowed by antioxidants,

such as, esophageal, lung, mouth, pharynx, endometrial, pancreatic,

prostate, and colon cancers.

• The high content of antioxidants may prevent the build-up of

platelets; anti-inflammatory properties lower risk of HD and high BP.

• Although more human studies are needed to verify, resveratrol (res-

vere-e-trol) may help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, ease hot

flashes and mood swings related to menopause, and improve

controlling glucose levels.

• Quercetin (kwer-ce-ten) and myricetin (my-ra-stein) have anti-

inflammatory qualities that may help reduce the risk of HD by

lowering BP.

• A low potassium intake is connected to high blood pressure. Grapes’

high potassium content can help counteract the effects of sodium in

the body and lower blood pressure.

• Fruits with a high water content along with fiber can help keep

bowel movements regular and relieve constipation.

Strawberries

Health benefits

Strawberries boost immunity

Strawberries promote eye health

Strawberries help fight cancer

Strawberries with wrinkles

Strawberries fight bad cholesterol

Strawberries reduce inflammation

Strawberries regulate blood pressure

Juicing

Apples, Pineapples, Cranberries

Juicing Apples

High in Pectin: soluble fiber that forms a gel in the intestine.

Ellagic acid: protect against damage to chromosomes and block

cancer causing actions of pollutants. Helps break down

cholesterol in liver.

Fresh Apple Juice: 100-130mg per 1000g of ellagic acid

Children who drank fresh apples juice at least once a day. Were

half as likely to suffer from chronic wheezing, while eating a

whole apple showed no apparent benefits.

Fresh : live enzymes

Bottled : enzymes and anti-oxidants are last

Juicing Pineapples Bromeline : dissolves mucus, beneficial for asthma, hay fever, and sore

throats.

Good for : digestions, aches and pains, asthma, hay fever.

Vitamin C : anti-oxidant to boost immune system.

Vitamin B6 : stabilizes blood sugar and thiamine

Potassium : helps promote kidney function

Warnings : excessive intake can cause uterine contractions in pregnant women.

Fresh : 100% Vitamin C and Bromeline

Canned : Vitamin C and other heat sensitive vitamins are not fully present.

60% Vitamin C

No bromeline

Juicing Cranberries

Benefits : treatment and prevention of bacterial

bladder and UTI’s because proanthocyanidins.

Proanthocyanidins : reduce the ability of E.Coli to

adhere to the lining of bladder, reducing infection pluck

bacteria off unirary tract.

Drinking 16oz cranberry juice helped 73% of 60 people

who had UTIs.

Reduces the amount of ionized calcium in urine by 50%

in patients with kidney stones.

0 5 10 15 20 25

Male

Female

Gender

0 2 4 6 8 10

17-23

24-30

31-37

38-44

45+

Age

Survey Results

0 10 20 30

Yes

No

Have you ever juiced?

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

Carr

ots

Apple

s

Kale

Lem

ons

Gra

pefr

uit

Mangoes

Pears

Ora

nges

Gra

pes

Spin

ach

Pin

eapple

Peaches

Blu

eberr

ies

Sta

wberr

ies

Bannanas

What People Juiced

0

5

10

15

20

25

Fruits Eaten Regularly

0

2

4

6

8

10

1 day 2days

3days

4days

5days

6days

7days

Days Eaten Per Week

0 10 20 30

1-2

3-4

5-6

7 or more

Times Eaten Per Day

0

5

10

15

20

25

Goodsource ofvitamins

Goodsource of

fiber

Tastesgood with

otherfoods

Tastesgoodalone

Low infat

Gives youenergy

Other

Reasons People Eat Fruit

Future Development

Go further into depth of the research of benefits that

other fruits give.

Not just on fruits that everyone eats daily.

Have a larger group of people take the surveys.

Community Contacts

U of A Professor: Dr. Rom

crom@uark.edu (Fruit expert)

U of A Professor: Dr. Evans

mrevans@uark.edu (Fruit expert)

References

"Vitamin D Structure." Wikimedia. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

<http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vitamin_D_s

tructure.jpg>.

"Vitamins." Chemical & Engineering News: Top

Pharmaceuticals:. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

"Why Is It Important to Eat Fruit?" Health and Nutrition

Benefits of Fruit. Web. 22 Sept. 2014.

"23 Superfruits You Need Now!" - Health.com. Web. 22

Sept. 2014.

References

Ware, Megan. "What are the health benefits of grapes?."

Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 29 Aug. 2014.

Web. 30 Nov. 2014.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271156.ph

p

“15 health benefits of eating apples” : Best Health

Magazine © 2014 Reader's Digest Magazines (Canada)

Ltd.

Medical News Today: What are the health benefits of

apples? Joseph Nordqvist. 30 August 2014.

References

"Strawberry Nutrition." Driscoll's. Web. 3 Dec. 2014.

<http://www.driscolls.com/nutrition-health/berry-

nutrition-facts/strawberry-nutrition>.

Questions???