In today's era of preservatives and harmful additives, more and more people are turning to organic produce over processed, pre-packed foods. Accompanying this trend towards the natural is a movement which values healthy eating as a means by which to ensure physical fitness.

In this philosophy we might discern echoes of the idiom 'prevention is better than cure'. If the body receives all the nutrients it requires to ward of infection and fight bacteria, the idea goes, then the chances are it won't fall sick. Those seeking more information should contact a dietician, their local health foods shop or a fitness and wellness centre, however, the following paragraphs detail the basic principles.

While it should by no means be said that there is no place for chemical medication in the healing of ailments, there is a great deal of sense in the idea that health is not something acquired with a pill, but rather a set of good habits and practices to be maintained. From this perspective, regular exercise and, more importantly, a good diet are crucial to the perpetuation of a body that is strong and fit.

A balanced diet consists of proteins and carbohydrates in proportion, and is rich in vitamins and minerals acquired from eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Indeed, health farms and wellness spas often offer week long programmes in which clients eat only organic fruit and vegetables in order to detoxify the system and rapidly increase vitamin and mineral intake. For ease of consumption, fresh produce is usually blended into a juice which can be drunk quicker than a bowl of fruit can be eaten, and which has a high concentration of necessary nutrients.

People have complained that drinking too much fruit juice, or indeed, eating too much fruit can adversely affect the health of teeth and gums because, in spite of its being natural, it has a high sugar content. Dentists have responded that, in fact, fruit juice rich in Vitamin C is beneficial in the fight against gingivitis, and have pointed to the lime-eating 18th century sailors as evidence of this. So in conclusion, as long a good standard of oral hygiene is maintained, regular intake of fresh fruit juice is good, not only for the health of teeth and gums, but for the body in general.