Fruits can be very healing. Use them for self-care depending on your symptoms or changes. Fruits discussed include apples, apricots, peaches, nectarines, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, papaya, and pineapple.

Rules for using fruits for self-care healing

It is always better to eat the whole fresh fruit (skin, pulp, membranes and in some cases, even seeds), whenever possible; healing substances are often found in these parts of the fruit, which is why the juice of the fruit and the cooked fruit often doesn't produce the same effect. Use organically-produced fruits. They are less likely to carry parasites, do not contain unhealthy pesticides and waxes and have a greater concentration of health-promoting compounds than fruit grown in conventional soils.

________________________________________________________________________________

APPLES (An apple a day does keep the doctor away!

*pectin
a fiber that protects the heart by lowering artery-clogging LDL cholesterol and raising artery-cleaning HDL cholesterol, prevents damage to blood vessels reduces radiation effects, protects against heart disease and gallstones

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*catechins
protect against coronary heart disease

*flavonoids
protect against breathing disorders including asthma

*phenols
protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins

______________________________________________________________________________

APRICOTS, PEACHES AND NECTARINES

*beta carotene
a precursor of vitamin A that deep yellow and orange fruits have in common and that rank high as cancer-fighting foods and also keeps skin smooth soft and unblemished, protects the eyes, digestive tract and lungs

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*vitamin C
protects against infection, important in the development of collagen, the "glue" that holds bones
and muscles together

*magnesium
aids in healthy heart function; deficiency of this mineral is associated with coronary vasospasm, which leads to heart attacks and sudden death

*phenols
protect against heart disease and cancer

*fiber
laxative effect, reduces cholesterol, purges body of toxic substances
______________________________________________________________________________

BANANAS

*potassium
keeps heart healthy, helps muscles contract, helps nerves carry impulses properly, turns food into energy

*pectin
protects the heart by lowering artery-clogging LDL, cholesterol and raising artery-cleaning HDL cholesterol, prevents damage to blood vessels, reduces radiation effects, protects against heart disease and gallstones

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins

*iodine
necessary for normal function of thyroid gland, may protect against breast cancer, may prevent menopausal symptoms by balancing the thyroid

*phenols
protects against cancer, heart and blood vessel disease

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

______________________________________________________________________________
BERRIES

*pectin
reduces cholesterol and protects blood vessels, protects the heart by lowering artery-clogging LDL cholesterol and raising artery-cleaning HDL cholesterol, prevents damage to blood vessels, reduces radiation effects, protects against heart disease and gallstones

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*quinic acid
(in cranberries and blueberries) prevents bacteria from clinging to the walls of the bladder,builds immunity and speeds wound healing

*vitamin C
contributes to health of blood vessels, gums, teeth and bones; essential for assimilation of iron to fight off fatigue; aids in fighting off infection and cancer-promoting substances; normalizes blood cholesterol level; detoxifies poison and toxins; aids in healing process; essential to collagen that holds ligaments, bones, muscles and tissues in place; slows down aging; protects against stress

*ellagic acid
protects against cancer (strawberry, black raspberry)

*folate and flavonoids
improve memory and protect against cognitive dysfunction

*phenols
protect against cancer and cardiovascular disease

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins

______________________________________________________________________________

CANTALOUPE

*vitamin A
helps fight infection, maintain cell wall strength, prevents viruses from penetrating and reproducing, blocks production of cancerous tumors

*folic acid
improves memory and protects against cognitive dysfunction

*manganese
helps metabolize fat, form bone, assist in brain function, protect against cancer

*inositol
helps control cholesterol level, healthy hair, fat metabolism

*vitamin C
contributes to health of blood vessels, gums, teeth and bones; essential for assimilation of iron that fights fatigue; aids in fighting off infection and cancer-promoting substances; normalizes blood cholesterol level; detoxifies poisons and toxins; aids in healing process; essential to collagen that holds ligaments, bones, muscles and tissues in place; slows down aging; protects against stress

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins

______________________________________________________________________________

CITRUS
NOTE: grapefruit may interfere with the action of some medications and supplements

*liminoids
cancer protective; inhibits growth of estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells

*vitamin C
protects against fatigue and frequent infections, promotes healing, heals bleeding gums, heals back lesions, reduces aching joints

*inositol
controls cholesterol level, healthy hair, fat metabolism

*flavonoids & pectin
reduce pain, lower cholesterol, heal bruises, protects heart by lowering artery-clogging LDL cholesterol and raising artery-cleaning HDL cholesterol, prevents damage to blood vessels reduces radiation effects, protects against heart disease and gallstones

*magnesium
works with calcium to ensure healthy muscle movement and a strong heart beat, prevents blood vessel and heart disease

*manganese
aids in fat metabolism, bone formation, brain function, and may protect against cancer

*antibacterial agent
combats a variety of common infectious organisms

*phenols
protect against cancer and heart and blood vessel disease

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins
_____________________________________________________________________________

GRAPES (red)

*phenols
protect against cancer and heart and blood vessel disease

*seratonin
relaxes the body and mind

*antibiotic agent
can kill intestinal, herpes simplex, polio viruses and improve gum health

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins
______________________________________________________________________________

MANGO

*vitamin A
helps fight infection, maintain cell wall strength, prevents viruses from penetrating and reproducing, blocks production of cancerous tumors

*vitamin C
protects against fatigue and frequent infections, promotes healing, heals bleeding gums, heals back lesions, reduces aching joints

*vitamin D
vital for maintaining health and growth of bones; aids in utilization of calcium, and metabolic functions affecting the eyes, heart and nervous system

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins
_____________________________________________________________________________

PAPAYA

*papain
aids in digestion

*vitamin A
helps fight infection, maintains cell wall strength, prevents viruses from penetrating and reproducing, blocks production of cancerous tumors

*potassium
helps keep heart healthy, helps nerve work properly, helps food to be turned into energy

*vitamin C
contributes to health of blood vessels, gums, teeth and bones; essential for assimilation of iron to ward off fatigue; aids in fighting off infection and cancer-promoting substances; normalizes blood cholesterol level; detoxifies poisons and toxins; aids in healing process; essential to collagen that holds ligaments, bones, muscles and tissues in place; slows down aging; protects against stress

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins
______________________________________________________________________________

PINEAPPLE

*phenols
protect against cancer, heart and blood vessel disease

*bromelain
enzyme that aids in digestion

*vitamin C
contributes to health of blood vessels, gums, teeth and bones; essential for assimilation of iron that fights fatigue; aids in fighting off infection and cancer-promoting substances; normalizes blood cholesterol level; detoxifies poisons and toxins; aids in healing process; essential to collagen that holds ligaments, bones, muscles and tissues in place; slows down aging; protects against stress

*manganese
aids in fat metabolism, bone formation, brain function, and may protect against cancer

*complex carbohydrate
helps regulate blood sugar, is satisfying, fills you up, and is good for diabetes because it doesn't cause a rapid rise in blood sugar like processed foods do

*fiber
vs. constipation, purges body of toxins
______________________________________________________________________________