Blue, purple, green, white, yellow, orange, red.
These are the colors of good health.
Why? Because these are the colors of the deeply-hued fruits and
vegetables which provide the wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber and
phytochemicals your body needs to maintain good health and energy levels. As research is now showing, diets rich in these fruits and vegetables may
protect against the effects of ageing, and reduce the risk of cancer,
heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
What are phytochemicals?
Phytochemicals are natural plant compounds that may provide a variety
of health benefits. Many of the bright pigments in fruits and vegetables
come from phytochemicals.
The 7- color food rainbow.
Fruits and vegetables can be grouped into seven color categories:
Red Group. Foods in this group contain the caretenoid lycopene, which
helps the body to rid itself of free radicals which damage genes.
Lycopene seems to protect against breast and prostate cancers as well as
heart and lung disease. We need to eat foods such as tomatoes, watermelon
and pink grapefruit to get these benefits. One glass of tomato juice
will provide half of the recommended amount of lycopene.
Yellow/Green Group. The foods in this group contain the carotenoids
lutein and zeaxanthin which are believed to reduce the risk of age-related
eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Lutein may
also reduce atherosclerosis. You need to eat foods such as avocado,
collard greens, mustard greens, spinach, yellow corn and honeydew melon.
Orange Group. These foods contain alpha and beta carotenes. Alpha
carotene protects against cancer. Beta carotene is converted by our body
into vitamin A. It helps the body repair damaged DNA , protects the skin
against free-radical damage and as most of us have been told, is good
for night vision. So eat up your carrots as well as mangoes, apricots,
cantaloupe, pumpkin, winter squash and sweet potatoes.
Orange/Yellow Group. Foods in this group contain beta cryptothanxin, a
phytochemical which enables our body’s cells to communicate with each
other. It may also help prevent heart disease. Eat pineapple, oranges,
tangerines, peaches, papayas and nectarines to receive these benefits.
Red/Purple Group. This group of foods contains anthocyanins – powerful
antioxidants which improve brain function and may delay the ageing of
cells in the body. They are also believed to protect against heart
disease by preventing blood clots. Eat beets, blueberries, blackberries,
purple grapes, eggplant, cranberries, apples and strawberries. You can
even include a glass of red wine!
Green Group. The sulforaphane, isocyanate and indoles present in this
group ward off cancer by inhibiting carcinogens in the body, which is
why you need to eat up your broccoli, cabbage, bok choi, kale and brussel
sprouts.
White/Green Group. Foods in the onion family such as leeks, scallions,
garlic and chives contain allicin which has anti-tumor properties.
Other foods in this group such as celery, pears, white wine and endives
contain antioxidant flavanoids such as quercetin and kaempferol.
Eat 9 colors a day to keep the doctor away
Dr David Heber, a director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition and
author of the book, ‘What Color is Your Diet?’ recommends a daily intake
of 9 servings across the spectrum of food color groups for optimal
health maintenance. But he warns that counting servings may not be enough
if you are missing out on one or more of the color categories. There is
also evidence that interaction between the colors also provides
benefits, which is why it is vitally important to have a diverse diet and eat
many different foods. So, turn your plate into a palette and stay
healthy for life!
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