Take a moment and consider the colors of the food you eat. Are your foods colorful or are they mostly drab and boring? Nutritionists recommend that for the greatest energy, fitness, and weight loss benefits your plate should display a rainbow of colors.
Many colorful vegetables and fruits have earned the title of "super food." They deliver on this designation by providing high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants include beta carotene, vitamins C and E, selenium and other nutrients found naturally in the food we eat. Not only do they provide necessary fuel for body function, but they also provide damage protection for cells.
The antioxidants found in colorful super foods protect healthy cells against the attacks and damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals in your body can contribute to tissue damage, aging, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
How do you know whether you're eating enough antioxidants to protect your body from damage? The best plan of action is to include vegetables and fruits with the colors of the rainbow in your diet. Each color offers different antioxidants for a unique nutritional punch. Next time you go shopping, look around the produce section at the array of colors. The colors in these foods come from antioxidants known as phytochemicals. The different colors indicate various nutrients, so in order to ensure that you're receiving superior antioxidant support from your food, you should incorporate as many different colors in your diet as possible. To give you an idea of which nutrients are associated with which colors, take a look at this list of powerful antioxidants and the foods they're found in.
- Lycopene-found in RED TOMATOES, this carotenoid prevents mutation in DNA and should be consumed from natural sources for the most benefit. It is this antioxidant that makes various foods red. Lycopene holds great potential for fighting cancer.
- Vitamin A-This nutrient guards against skin and eyesight damage and can also support the production of enzymes in the liver and sex organs. The carotenes contained in ORANGES and CARROTS are converted into Vitamin A and should be incorporated regularly into a healthy diet.
- Quercitin-Like other bioflavonoids, this nutrient supports healthy skin and offers anti-inflammatory benefits. You can find it in the GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES that make up your salad.
- Anthocyanines-This nutrient is found in purple foods like BLUEBERRIES and helps improve vision and blood circulation.
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