This is the 4th and final blog post on the Colours of Health…all about red and purple fruits and veggies! I hope it has inspired you to include a variety of colours in your daily food choices.
Not only is it healthy (strengthen your immune system, fight inflammation, and help protect you against preventable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, etc) but it makes it more fun to eat!
Over the last couple of weeks, we chatted about the colors green, orange, yellow, and white.
If you have missed them, just click on the following link to read the blog:
Green Fruits and Vegetables
Orange Fruits and Vegetables
Yellow and White Fruits and Vegetables
Today we will take a look at red and purple/blue. There are some yummy foods in there!
Red Fruits and Vegetables
They contain antioxidants, including lycopene and anthocyanin, which are very powerful in helping to fight heart disease and may help reduce the risk of cancer, especially prostate cancer. They also contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fibre, and potassium.
Health Benefits
– Heart health
– Decrease blood pressure
– Fight free radicals
– Lower LDL cholesterol
– Help fight cancer
– Reduce risk of stroke
– Reduce macular degeneration
eg. beets, bell peppers, cherries, chili, cranberries, peppers, grapes, pomegranates, radishes, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon.
Purple/Blue Fruits and Vegetables
They contain anthocyanin which is a powerful antioxidant that protects our cells and help with healing. The darker the food, the higher the antioxidant level which means stronger healing abilities.
According to research that has been done, blueberries have the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits and vegetables. Some studies have shown that eating blueberries is connected with better memory and healthy aging.
Health Benefits
– Immune boosting
– Anti-aging
– Anti-inflammatory
– Brain boosting
– Reduce cancer risk
– Promote heart health
– Reduce the risk of stroke
eg. acai berries, aubergine, blackberries, blueberries, purple asparagus, purple cabbage, purple carrots, purple cauliflower, eggplant, plums, prunes.
Eating all the colors is the best way to get your essential nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants.
But, if you are having difficulty getting the recommended amounts of fruits or vegetables into your daily regime, then add high nutrient superfoods to your diet.
Some of the best products that you can buy to enhance your vegetable and fruit intake are:
Organic Greens is something that I take daily. It is a superfood that consists of superfoods such as spinach, kale, broccoli, purple carrot, chlorella, spirulina, etc.
Fruits which contains antioxidants and phytonutrients from over 30 premium fruits. It is low calorie (25 calories) and low sugar (1 gram) per serving
What are your favourite red or purple/blue foods? How do you eat them?
I hope that you are having fun adding in the different colours to your daily meals and snacks!
If you have any questions or would like more info, send me a message or comment below.
Love the life you live,
Anita Duwel
Certified Holistic Nutrition Coach
Certified Master Workplace Wellness Consultant
FB Group Aging with Vitality
Coach Anita Duwel FB Page
PS If you are 45 or over, I invite you to join my Aging with Vitality FaceBook Group. It is a place to share information and strategies on living a life of quality and vitality. Be the first to have access to freebies, challenges, etc. Also a place to share some funnies!