Monday, June 8, 2009

be colorful to be healthy!

You can improve your overall health by eating six delicious, vibrant foods as what Dr. Eric Braverman, MD says in prevention.com. If every meal contains vibrant foods, you are helping your body younger and healthier. Rich colorful fruits, vegetables, teas, or spices have all the anti-oxidants you need to help fight free radicals and prevent disease. Here’s to learn more about the foods to add to your plan:

1. Ruby Reds


Red pigments contain antioxidants that support heart health, improve memory function, protect blood vessels, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments from damage, and may reduce the likelihood of cancer by preventing tissue degeneration that sometimes follows chronic irritation. They may also improve urinary tract health.
Recommended red foods: cranberries, raspberries, cherries, red beans, pomegranates

2. Vibrant Orange


Orange fruits and vegetables are high in carotenoids, which have anticancer and antioxidant properties. They can also improve your vision and heart health. Try to eat at least two to three different orange foods daily. Dr. Braverman suggests staying away from fruit juices, which have lots of unnecessary calories.
Recommended orange foods: sweet potatoes, oranges, peppers

3. Bright Yellows


Yellow fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of phytochemicals as well as carotenoids and biof lavonoids (bonus vitamins and minerals found in many foods that naturally reduce inflammation), which have anticancer and antioxidant properties. They can also improve your vision and heart health. Try to eat at least two to three different yellow foods daily.
Recommended yellow foods: squash, artichokes, peppers

4. Forest Greens


Chlorophyll, present in all green plants, has anticancer and detoxifying properties. Green fruits and vegetables are high in lutein, which is currently being studied for its antioxidant properties. In addition, green leafy veggies are high in carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals that naturally reduce inflammation. Many green foods contain calcium, which helps build strong bones and teeth and improves vision. It is recommended you eat at least one serving daily of leafy green vegetables.
Recommended green foods: kale, spinach, broccoli, peppers

5. Dark Blues


Many of these foods contain anthocyanins and phenolics, two powerful phytochemicals currently being studied for their anti-aging benefits. Blue fruits and vegetables are extremely high in antioxidants. Blue foods can protect your blood vessels, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments from damage, and may reduce the likelihood of cancer by preventing tissue degeneration that follows chronic irritation. They can improve memory function and urinary tract health.
Recommended blue foods: blueberries, grapes

6. Deep Purples


Indigo- and violet-colored foods also contain an abundance of antioxidant compounds. Dark blue and indigo foods reduce "oxidative stress," one of the main factors that cause aging. They also contain high levels of resveratrol, which is believed to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and other important vitamins and minerals that can improve memory function and urinary tract health.
Recommended indigo foods: eggplant
Recommended violet foods: prunes, plums

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