Many plants with medicinal value are cultivated in the horticulture sector. Pharmacology, the science of drugs and medicines, is dependent on these plants. Fruits and vegetables provide the vitamins and minerals which are lacking in the staple foods.
Deficiencies of vitamins and minerals cause chronic diseases. Vitamin A deficiency causes skin diseases, night blindness, and kidney stones. It is synthesised in humans from its precursors or provitamins called carotenoids, which are richly provided by orange coloured and dark green fruits and vegetables.
The red pigment in red blood oranges is an anthocyanin, while the red pigment in some grapefruit is carotene. Shortage of ascorbic acid or vitamin C is responsible for haemorrhaging and swollen gums, and lowered body resistance against infection. Citrus, ber, guavas, tomatoes, and melons are rich in ascorbic acid.
Vitamin E deficient adults show symptoms of sterility. Onions, lettuce, oranges, bananas, and avocados are rich in vitamin E. The protective effects of three antioxidant vitamins, beta carotene (the plant provitamin A), ascorbic acid, and vitamin E are well known. Low intake of these vitamins may lead to increased risk of coronary heart diseases and cancer of the lungs, breasts, and prostate.
Deficiencies of B vitamins can cause beriberi, loss of sensation, and heart enlargement. Thiamine, riboflavin, and nicotinic acid are important B-vitamins present in appreciable quantities in many fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin D helps the body to utilise calcium. Children whose bodies are deficient in vitamin D develop rickets, a softening and curvature of the bones.
Vitamin D is synthesised by the body in the presence of sunlight, and is also available in green leafy vegetables. A blood clotting factor known as vitamin K is present in spinach and other leaves.
People whose diet contains insufficient folic acid are more likely in old age to develop cataracts, a form of impaired vision in which the lens of the eye becomes opaque. Fresh cooked spinach, white beans, avocados, asparagus, and turnip greens are good sources of folic acid.
Minerals play an important role in the development of the human body as constituent parts of tissue, ad regulate metabolic activities as catalysts and co factors.
Important minerals provided by fruits and vegetables are Ca, Na, P, Co, Cu, Mg, Mn, Fe, and I. Deficiency of Ca affects the contractibility of muscles, blood coagulation, the bones, and heartbeat. Phosphorus is an important component of uncleic acids and plays an integral role in energy transformation.
Iron is the oxygen carrier, and its deficiency causes anemia. Iodine is needed for normal functioning of the thyroid gland.
Fruit juices, seed pods, leafy vegetables, apples, apricots, plums, dates, olives, and peaches are rich in minerals. Large amounts of sugar, organic acids, enzymes, and many pigments are important constituents of fruit.
Varied colours, texture, and flavours create interest in eating. Fiber or roughage is deficient in our diets, despite heavy intake of cereals. Meat and milk do not contribute fiber. Very high fiber content is found in vegetables and in some fruits.
Leafy vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and others with high cellulose content add bulk to food. In the stomach, this roughage helps motility and neutralises acidity created by the digestion of proteins.
Peaches, beans, sweet corn, and pecans are rich in protein. Avocados, olives, and most nuts contain a very high percentage of fact. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are especially high in starch, containing 19% and 27% starch, respectively.
These vegetables and fruit like bananas, have the potential to supplement our energy (calorie) requirements. Falsa, sweet lime, and jaman are known for their cooling effects. Grapefruit is recommended for dieting patients. Bitter gourd and jaman are also considered to help diabetics.
A complete food must contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and roughage or fiber. For a balanced diet WHO recommends 450 grams of vegetables and fruits every day. In Pakistan, however, less than 200 grams per day is available.
================================================================================
Name of Medicinal value Therapeutics benefits
fruit
================================================================================
Apples Carotenes, pectin, The immune system, digestion, heart
vitamin C, potassium, and circulation. Especially good for
ellagic acid constipation,diarhoea and lowering
of cholesterol
APRICOT Beat-carotene, Skin and respiratory problem protect
potassium, iron, soluble against cancer. Dried apricot relieve
fibre constipation and high blood pressure
Avocado Potassium, vitamin E Heart, circulation and skin, and protect
and A, essentials fatty against cancer
acid
Bananas Potassium, fibre, energy Preventing cramp, excellent for
magnesium, vitamin A digestion chronic fatigue syndrome
folic acid and glandular fever
Blackberries Vitamins C, carotenoids Heart, circulation and skin also good
anti-inflammatory and protection against cancer
cancer fighting
phytochemical
Cherries Vitamin, C potassium Natural resistance, arthritis and
magnesium flavonoids rheumatism, protection against cancer
cancer-fighting Especially good for gout
phytochemicals
Dates Iron, potassium, folic Anaemia, fatigue constipation pregnancy
acid, fibre fruit sugar An excellent and easily digested
before and during sport. energy source
Figs Beta carotene, iron, Energy, constipation, digestive problems
potassium, fibre ficin (a anemia and protection against cancer
digestive aid), cancer
fighting phytochemicals
Grapes Vitamin C, natural Convalescence, anemia, fatigue, cancer
sugars, powerful protection and weight gain, especially
antioxidant flavonoids after illness
Grapefruit Vitamin C, beta Natural resistance circulatory problems
carotene, potassium, sore throats and bleeding gums
bioflavonoids especially
naringin, which thins the
blood and lowers
cholesterol
Lemons Vitamins A and C, This powerful immune booster, is also
foliuc acid, potassium, good for digestive problems particularly
diuretic, anti arthritic, for mouth ulcer and gum disease
anti inflammatory,
cancer fighting
phytochemicals
Lime Vitamin C, Resistance, and terrific for the relief of
bioflavonoids, coughs colds and flu. Also highly
potassium, limonene cancer fighting
Mango Vitamin C, beta Convalescence, skin problems, protection
carotene, potassium, against cancer and a boost to the
flavonoids, other immune system
antioxidants
Nuts and Protein, unsaturated fats, Diabetes male sexual function
Seeds minerals (especially zinc fertility, constipation and varicose
and selenium), fibre, viens. Also cancer fighting
energy
Olives Protective Skin, heart and circulation
antioxidants, vitamin E
and mono unsaturated
oil
Oranges Vitamin C and B6, Fighting infections and improving
(momdrins bioflavonoids potassium, resistance fighting heart disease and
satsumans, limonene thiamine, folic high blood pressure
tangerines) acid calcium iron
Papya Vitamin C, beta carotene Skin, improve immunity also for
flavonoids, magnesium convalescence particularly after gastric
digestive enzyme papain illness as they are extremely easy
to digest
Peaches Beta carotene, Pregnancy, people on low salt diets
flavonoids, vitamin C, reducing cholesterol. Also good as
potassium a gentle laxative
Pearts Soluble fibre, vitamin C Energy, lowering cholesterol
convalescence and constipation
Pineapple Vitamin C, but most Angina, arthritis, constipation, fevers
valuable for enzymes, sore throats and all soft tissue injuries
especially bromelain
Plums Beta carotene, vitamins Heart, circulation, fluid retention, and
C and E, malic acid digestion
Strawberries Vitamins C and E, beta Protection against cancer, gout
carotene, anti arthritic arthritis, kidney problems and anaemia
phytochemicals, soluble
fibre
================================================================================
Name of Medicinal value Therapeutics benefits
vegetable
================================================================================
Beans dried Proteins, carbohydrate, Maintaining healthy heart and
fibre B vitamins, circulatory system, also fighting high
minerals, folic acid blood pressure and lowering cholesterol
selenium, iron, zinc Offer excellent protection against cancer
and regulate bowl function
Beans, green Vitamins A and C, Skin, hair and digestive problems
potassium, folic acid
Beetroot Vitamins B6 and C, beta Anaemia, chronic fatigue and
carotene, potassium, convalescence
folic acid, iron, calcium,
Broccoli Vitamins A and C, folic Anaemia, chronic fatigue, before
acid, riboflavin, and during pregnancy, skin problems
potassium, iron, cancer and protection against cancer
fighting phytochemicals
Cabbage Vitamins A, C, E, folic Protection against cancer, stomach
ulcers
family acid potassium, cancer chest infections, skin problems, anaemia
(brassicas) fighting phytochemicals
Cauliflower Vitamin C, folic acid, Protection against cancer, natural
Sulphur immunity and skin problem
Cucumber Tiny amounts of beta Skin and eyes. The juice is useful
carotene in the skin, also for relieving fevers
a little silica, potassium,
and folic acid
Garlic Antibacterial and anti- Preventing heart disease, lowering
fungal sulphur cholesterol levels, high blood pressure
compounds, cancer Useful as an anti fungal and antibacterial
fighting and heart agent, and helps relieve sinus and chest
protective infections
phytochemicals
Ginger Circulatory stimulating Morning sickness in pregnancy, travel
zingiberene and gingerol sickness, post operative sickness
circulation, fevers and coughs
Lettuce Vitamins A and C, folic Insomnia, stress and bronchitis
acid, potassium,
calcium, phosphorus,
sleep inducing
Phytochemicals
Melon Vitamins A, C, Mild constipation, gout, arthritis and
potassium, folic acid, urinary problems
some B vitamins
Mint Antispasmodic volatile Indigestion, irritable blowel syndrome,
oils, menthol, flavonoids gastritis, bloating and flatulence
Mushrooms Some protein, vitamin Important nutrient for vegetarians
B12 and E, zinc and vegans. Valuable for depression
anxiety and fatigue
Onions Vitamin C, sulphur Reducing cholesterol, preventing
based phytochemicals blood clots, bronchitis, asthma, chest
similar to garlic infections, gout, arthritis
Peas Thiamin (B1), folic acid, Protein, stress, tension and
beta carotene, vitamin C, all digestive problems
protein
Potatoes Rich in vitamin C, fibre, Anaemia, digestive problems fatigue
B vitamins; contain growth and natural resistance
some minerals
Pumpkin Vitamins A, C; Protection against cancer, respiratory
potassium, folic acid; problems and disorders
some B vitamins
Radishes Vitamin C, iron, Protection against cancer, liver and gall
magnesium, sulphur, bladder problems, indigestion and
potassium, respiratory problems
phytochemicals
Spinach Chlorophyll, folic acid, Skin, protection against cancer
beta-carotene, lutein, prevention of vision loss in old age
xeaxanthine, iron, cancer Also good before and during
fighting phytochemicals pregnancy
Sweet potato Vitamins C and E, beta Eye problems, night vision and all skin
carotene and other problems, also a powerful cancer fighting
carotenoids, proteins food
cancer fighting
phytochemicals
Tomatoes Vitamins C and E, Protection against cancer, skin problems,
potassium, beta fertility and heart protection.
carotene, lycopene
================================================================================
Comments
Comments are closed.