Good morning readers!
I don't know about y'all, but today is the first sunny day we've had in a while. It was starting to seem like cloudy and rainy was the new summer weather. Today, I plan to spend as much time as possible outdoors; I've gotta soak up the sun. Hope you have some fun, outdoor plans today too!
Today's article is about colors. Yes, I'm talking about the ROY G BIV. Research shows that an individual can get all the nutrients their body needs by eating a plate full of different colors (Fruit Loops don't count). Each color offers a different benefit for the body, while some overlap, check it out:
Red (watermelon, tomatoes, red cabbage, pink grapefruit) - Redish fruits and veggies usually contain lycopene. This is a strong antioxidant that have been found to lower the risk for cancer. Remember me writing about these in the article about watermelons?
Orange & Yellow (carrots, cantaloup, mango, yams, sweet potatoes, squash, apricots) - So, these foods are also rich in an antioxidant, beta-carotene. Beta-carotene, like lycopene, shows a reduced chance for specific cancers. This antioxidant is also the precursor for vitamin A (the skin and eye vitamin)!
Green (broccoli, kale, collards, spinach, green beans, asparagus) - Like the orange and yellows, greens promote healthy eyes. The lutein (combined with the zeaxanthin) in the foods reduces the risk of chronic eye diseases, including age related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Blue & Purple (blueberries, blackberries, plums, cherries, purple grapes) - These foods are great sources of anthocyanin. This flavonoid increases your vitamin C levels, which are not only known for boosting the immune system, they also assist in preventing free radicals from damaging the body. Vitamin C also promotes good skin health (including wrinkles).
All in all, eating a rainbow of foods promotes a strong, overall health. Whether it's getting a variety of important vitamins and nutrients into your body or lowering cholesterol, body circumference, chance for cancers and heart disease, eating colorfully certainly doesn't hurt.
Challenge: Try filling up your plate with at least three colors during today's meals! Think you can do it? Yeah, you totally can.
Thanks for reading and enjoy your day!
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