| In order to help people get the health benefits of | | | | diseases of the eye, such as Macular |
| vegetables, without actually eating them, | | | | Degeneration, a condition in which the central |
| vegetable supplements are becoming increasingly | | | | vision is lost and only the peripheral vision remains. |
| popular. Made from dehydrated vegetables, dried | | | | It is found in vegetable supplements that contain |
| vegetables and fruits or juice concentrates, these | | | | the dried vegetables kale, spinach and broccoli. |
| supplements may be able to fill in the gaps | | | | Zeaxanthin is found in broccoli and numerous |
| created by personal preference and seasonal | | | | other fruits and vegetables. It is more common |
| availability. It is said that "variety is the spice of | | | | than lutein, but scientific evidence indicates that it |
| life" and when it comes to fruits and vegetables, | | | | is just as important to the health of the eyes and |
| variety may lead to better health. | | | | may reduce the risk of developing cataracts, a |
| In a perfect world, we would all eat a serving | | | | condition in which the lens inside of the eye clouds |
| each of green, dark green, red, dark red, orange | | | | and yellows, interfering with vision, sometimes |
| and yellow vegetables or fruits every day. In the | | | | leading to blindness. |
| real world, we are lucky to get a red and a | | | | Anthocyanins are antioxidants found in dark red |
| green, which is usually the lettuce and tomato on | | | | or purple vegetables and fruits, such as beets and |
| our hamburgers, and not actually equivalent to a | | | | cherries. Recent research suggests that |
| serving of each. Vegetable supplements are an | | | | anthocyanins may be the antioxidant that |
| easy way to get all of the different colors every | | | | prevents Type II diabetes in people whose diet is |
| day. | | | | rich in these colored fruits and vegetables. In dried |
| Why are the colors so important? Each color is | | | | vegetables and fruits, the anthocyanins remain |
| associated with a different antioxidant. | | | | intact and can be used by the human body. |
| Antioxidants break the chain reaction that can | | | | Lycopene is the antioxidant that makes tomatoes |
| lead to cancer. The best known antioxidant is | | | | bright red. Frequent intake of foods containing |
| vitamin C, but there are many others, some with | | | | lycopene has been associated with a reduced risk |
| long and complicated names. Vitamin C is | | | | of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and |
| absolutely essential to every cell of the human | | | | osteoporosis. It reduces the affects of UV light |
| body, but cannot be created by the human body | | | | on the skin, as well. Although some vitamin |
| and is quickly used up, because the body does | | | | supplements contain lycopene, vegetable |
| not store it. Vitamin C is not related to a specific | | | | supplements may provide a more readily |
| color and is found in most fresh or dehydrated | | | | absorbed form. |
| vegetables and fruits. | | | | Vegetable supplements also provide the most |
| The antioxidants known as carotenoids are | | | | readily absorbed and safest form of vitamin E. |
| divided into two groups; carotenes and | | | | They provide numerous amino acids, protein, |
| xanthophylls. | | | | carbohydrates and of course vitamin C. |
| Carotenes are used by the human body to | | | | Vitamin C can be easily isolated and is readily |
| create vitamin A, which is important for good | | | | absorbed by the body. Supplements containing |
| vision and healthy bones. They are found in the | | | | vitamin C are safe and easy way for people to |
| orange fruits and vegetables, like carrots. Both | | | | get the amount that there body needs every day |
| vitamin A supplements and beta-carotene | | | | to function efficiently. The other antioxidants |
| supplements can be toxic to the human body in | | | | found in fresh and dehydrated vegetables can not |
| large quantities and may be toxic to certain | | | | be easily isolated, may not be readily absorbed in |
| people, even in small quantities. Vegetable | | | | the digestive system and may be unsafe at high |
| supplements containing dehydrated vegetables are | | | | doses. Supplements containing the isolated form |
| as safe and non-toxic as the vegetables | | | | of these antioxidants are not believed to provide |
| themselves. | | | | the health benefits of the whole foods. |
| The group of antioxidants known as xanthophylls | | | | On the other hand, fruit and vegetable |
| contains lutein and zeaxanthin. | | | | supplements containing dehydrated vegetables or |
| Lutein is found in dark green vegetables such as | | | | fruits, dried vegetables or fruits, or vegetable or |
| spinach and kale. It is particularly important for | | | | fruit juice concentrate are a safe and easy way |
| eye health and decreases the risk of age related | | | | for people to get those other antioxidants. |