The Importance of Color in Your Diet

The Importance of Color in Your Diet

Research shows that the pigmentation that provides fruits and vegetables with their color also makes them extremely nutritious.  The deeper the color, the more of that nutrient it has.

In fact, the deeper the color of the fruit or vegetable, the higher it will be on the protection score and antioxidant value. Deeper color fruits and vegetables also have better Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC).

Red 

Think luscious tomatoes and sweet watermelons. The colour generally indicates the presence of lycopene which is known to reduce the risk of cancer.

Naturally red foods – strawberries, apples and watermelons.

Green 

Foods that are green are packed with sulforaphane, isothiocyanate, and indoles which simulate the liver genes to produce compounds which help to keep cancer producing chemicals in check.

Naturally green foods – cabbage, broccoli and green peas.

White

These flavonoid packed fruits and vegetables act as antioxidants and also help to protect the cell membrane.

Naturally white foods – copious amounts of onions, garlic and pears will ensure your body gets its fill of flavonoid.

Purple 

The color is created by anthocyanins which helps in increased blood flow, and improves kidney and eye functions.

Naturally purple foods – Add grapes in your cornflakes or eggplant in your salads to let this color work its magic.

Orange 

Remember Bugs Bunny munching on a carrot? What you probably didn’t know then is that orange colored food contains alpha and beta-carotenes which help your cells to communicate better with each other and help prevent cancer. Some orange colored food like oranges and papayas are also rich in Vitamin C which aid cell protection.

Naturally orange foods – Oranges, papayas, carrots, musk melon, mango

Yellow 

The color signals tones of carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, which are good for eye health.

Naturally yellow foods – A dash of turmeric in your curry, a generous sprinkling of corn in your sabzis or just a banana after your meal will add a colorful element with a dollop of health in each bite.

The truth is, food that looks good often ends up tasting better. So next time, if your plate looks dull and lifeless, toss in a generous helping of some wonderfully colorful fruits and vegetables and transform your regular lunch to one overflowing with the goodness of nature.

Courtesy of: http://www.mdhil.com/