Welcome to our second installment of our Eat the Rainbow Series. The eat the rainbow concept refers to us encouraging ourselves and others to eat a wide variety of fruits and veggies in a rainbow of colors. When we consume a variety of colorful foods (naturally colorful, not candy) we have better chances of maintaining balanced nutrition and getting all of our essential nutrients. So join us and Eat the Rainbow!
If you missed the first edition we strongly urge you to check it out, it covered green-hued fruits and veggies and why they are so darn good for us. (check it out here! )This time around we’re talking about REDS. All the fruits and veggies that have that rich red color all have similar compounds responsible for their gorgeous color as well as providing similar health benefits across the board.
Let’s dive right in to all the great health benefits of eating all the red things! Red produce are rich in Lycopene, Anthocyanin, Vitamins A and C, and Electrolytes. Each of these awesome components have a multitude of benefits so let’s talk a little about each one.
Lycopene is an antioxidant with anti-cancer properties and can be found in the highest amounts in tomatoes, this particular compound increases it’s benefits when cooked. It’s important to note this is not the case with most other healthful compounds, most fruit and vegetables are best consumed when minimally processed for maximum health benefits.
Anthocyanin is another antioxidant with powerful anti-inflammatory properties for the blood vessels, joints, and everywhere else in the body. These two awesome antioxidants also help to fight heart disease and prostate cancer, while decreasing stroke risk as well as risk of macular degeneration (loss of eye sight).
Vitamins A & C are important for healthy skin, hair, nails, and a strong immune system.
Electrolytes (specifically Potassium, Magnesium, and/or Sodium) are crucial for maintaining proper hydration and healthy blood pressure regulation (beets are the best source of electrolytes with both potassium AND sodium).
So let’s review, Reds are good for Skin, Eye, Joint, Immune System, and Heart Health while also aiding in Cancer Prevention!! Never has the color red seemed so incredible, get out there and add some red foods to your meal plan today!