Did you know that the colours of your fruits and vegetables are linked to different health benefits? Not only are fruits and vegetables helpful in a child’s growth and development, but it can also help lower risk of cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Furthermore, fruits and vegetables help with creating a healthy gut which helps to support mental health, the immune system, and a healthy heart.
So, out of all the fruits and vegetables, which one should you eat?
The colours of each fruit and vegetables are linked to different phytochemicals and nutrients they contain.
The colour purple and blue have antioxidant properties from the anthocyanin content that reduce the risks of stroke, cancer and heart disease. Some examples include blackberry, blueberry, plums, eggplant and more.
The colour red can help improve heart health as well as lowering the risk of cancer due to the antioxidant lycopene. Some examples of this are red apples, cheery, tomatoes, radish, watermelon and many more.
Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids which enhances the immune system. Examples of these are carrots, pumpkin, lemon, mango, pineapple and more.
Green coloured vegetables and fruits have phytochemicals isothiocyanates, lutein and vitamin K. The phytochemicals in green coloured fruits and vegetables are shown to help with blood and bone health as well as enhance the immune function. Examples include broccoli, arugula, kiwi, avocado and many more.
Overall, it is recommended to eat a variety of colourful foods. This allows for good health furthermore, it is much more exciting to eat. So, don’t forget to add in your fruits and vegetables and eat a rainbow!