Share |

Colors of Fruits and Vegetables

By Diane Hanson

Vegetables need not be all green and boring. In the past, people associate vegetables with fiber, Vitamins and minerals. Today, evidence shows that the phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables provide our bodies with a myriad of health benefits.

People who eat more fruits and vegetables as a part of an overall healthy diet are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as cancers, coronary health disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke.

Many of the bright colors in fruit and vegetables come from phytochemicals. Eating fruits and vegetables of different colors gives your body a wide range of valuable nutrients, like fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C.

Green vegetables such as broccoli, kale,collards, leaf and romaine lettuce, spinach, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are especially good for the circulatory system. They contain many minerals and B-complex Vitamins.

Red foods such as tomatoes, watermelon, red cabbage, pink grapefruit contain a phytochemical called lycopene which is especially helpful in preventing prostate problems, scavenge harmful free radicals, and reduce the effects of sun damage on the skin.

Orange foods such as carrots, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, apricots, cantaloupe have carotenoids that help prevent cancer by repairing the DNA.

Combination of green and yellow foods such as yellow corn, green peas, collard greens, avocado and honeydew melon contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin that help reduce the risk of developing cataracts and macular degeneration.

Fruits and vegetables that are orange and yellow in color are high in antioxidants, especially Vitamin C, and help to promote collagen production, beautify skin and keep joints healthy. These foods include oranges, pineapple, tangerines, peaches, papaya, nectarines.

White and green combination foods such as onions, garlic, shallots, chives and other white-hued vegetables contain allicin, a phytochemical which may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure; other phytochemicals, polyphenols, found in pears, celery and green grapes, may reduce the risk of hormone-related cancers.

Dark colored red/blue/purple foods such as red apples, beets, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, prunes, concord grapes, eggplants, purple potatoes, elderberries, blackberries very rich in powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins that protect again heart disease by improving circulation and preventing blood clots, fight inflammation, and reduce tumor growth.

Fruits and vegetables offer tons of health benefits to keep you healthy for life. So make sure you eat 5 fruits and vegetables of various colors a day for better health.

15 Yummy Ideas to Eat More Fiber and Love It

Find ideas to include more fiber in your diet to meet the daily requirement of 25-30grams.

10 Easy Ways to Eat More Vegetables

Get delicious ideas to eat more veggies everyday and love it!

What Are the Best Negative Calorie Foods for Weight Loss?

What food items fall under the negative calorie foods list to burn calories and fat, and help you lose more weight? Find out how to stay thin while munching away nutrient-packed negative calorie fruits and vegetables.

3 Surefire Ways to Get Your Husband to Lose Weight

Is your man struggling with weight gain after marriage? Find out what you can do to make your husband exercise and lose weight, and get him back in great shape!

5 Exciting Ideas to Eat Raisins

If you're wondering what is good to eat with raisins, but eating them straight out of the box doesn't appeal to you, then get inspired with these interesting recipes, and start enjoying the health benefits of raisins in your everyday meals.

What Should You Eat for More Fiber?

Troubled by constipation after quitting smoking? Find out what is good fiber foods to eat and get delicious ideas to make eating veggies fun to boost your dietary fiber intake.