Snow Peas - Health benefits and concerns
Asthma
Vitamin C, present in fruits and vegetables, is a powerful antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory. This anti-inflammatory activity may influence the development
of asthma symptoms. A large preliminary study has shown that young children with
asthma experience significantly less wheezing if they eat a diet high in fruits
rich in vitamin C.
Bruising
Many Americans eat insufficient amounts of foods containing vitamin C; the
disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, scurvy, causes easy bruising. While very
few people actually have scurvy, even minor deficiencies of vitamin C can
increase the incidence of bruising. People who experience easy bruising may want
to try eating more fruits and vegetables—common dietary sources of vitamin C.
Capillary fragility
Eating plenty of flavonoid- and vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables helps to
support the structure of capillaries.
Cataracts
Some, but not all, studies have reported that eating more foods rich in
beta-carotene or vitamin A was associated with a lower risk of cataracts.
Synthetic beta-carotene supplementation has not been found to reduce the risk of
cataract formation. It remains unclear whether natural beta-carotene from food
or supplements would protect the eye or whether beta-carotene in food is merely
a marker for other protective factors in fruits and vegetables high in
beta-carotene.
High homocysteine
A controlled trial showed that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables
containing folic acid, beta-carotene, and vitamin C effectively lowered
homocysteine levels. Healthy people were assigned to either a diet containing a
pound of fruits and vegetables per day, or to a diet containing 3 1/2 ounces
(99g) of fruits and vegetables per day. After four weeks, those eating the
higher amount of fruits and vegetables had an 11 percent lower homocysteine
level compared to those eating the lower amount of fruits and vegetables.
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
In one survey, researchers gathered information from nearly 400 people (half
with MS) over three years. They found that consumption of vegetable protein,
fruit juice, and foods rich in vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and
potassium correlated with a decreased MS risk.
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