"OXIDATIVE STRESS"-COMBATING THE ILL EFFECTS

Though the issue of antioxidant benefits for human health is still being debated, there appears to be near unanimity that colored juices, most of which contain polyphenolic substances have health protecting abilities in one way or the other. Fruits and vegetables in general are healthy foods viewed from any angle and no wonder the new "food plate" icon replacing the earlier food pyramid concept includes these plant foods in the plate almost to the extent of 50%. While wholesome fruits and vegetables when consumed provides a variety of nutrients, the extracted juice is devoid of some of them including fiber. But extracted juices can still be rich in antioxidant phytochemicals with some of them having very high ORAC values. One of the recent studies using juices from some of the colorful fruits like Pomegranate has further confirmed this fact.

"Oxidative stress is known to contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Early signs of the disease include macrophage cholesterol accumulation and foam cell formation, which can result from increased uptake of oxidised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and/or a reduced rate of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-mediated cholesterol efflux from cells. Dietary polyphenols, such as those present in some beverages, exhibit potent antioxidant and cardioprotective activity. Studies have shown that consumption of grape juice, red wine, blackcurrant and pomegranate juice can increase serum antioxidant potential, exerthypolipidaemic and anti-inflammatory effects, inhibit LDL oxidation and decrease monocyte migration. Wonderful-variety pomegranate juice (WPJ) was also found to protect atherosclerotic patients from further development of the disease".

The moot question is about the availability and affordability of these juices to people with limited income as most of these fruits are priced beyond the reach of bulk of the population. It is most unfortunate that processed foods with high calorie density, high salt content are available in the market at a fraction of a cost of nutrient dense foods like fruits and vegetables, be it in India or any where in the world. In a country like India a substantial portion of the production is lost due to pre-harvest and post-harvest mismanagement and added to this the country wide operation of pre-harvest contractors and exploitative middle men make most horticulture produce over prized in the market.

Is it not a paradox that with a wide ranging climate conditions prevailing in the country, almost all fruits and vegetables can be grown in the country but these produce still cost high to the consumers and if this is not mismanagement, what else it is? It is time India is transformed into a "doing country" from its present image as a "talking country"!

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com