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The Color of Health

So you already know you should be incorporating a variety of fresh fruits and veggies into your menu, but are you having a hard time trying to figure out which ones you should add to your diet? Well, something that I have done personally is to plate my food with color.

Different colored pigments in fruits and vegetables have different and varying phytochemicals. In fact, research has shown that these components can not only help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer; but, exciting new studies show that they are also extremely important in protecting the delicate cells of the nervous system (something very important as we age).

For a better handle on what you should eat for improved health in specific areas, try the following “color” tips.

Orange foods, as well as yellow foods, are jam-packed with lycopene, vitamin C, flavonoids, beta-carotene, and potassium. These are helpful in countless ways, including lowering your cholesterol levels.

Blue and purple foods contain vitamin C, fiber, and flavonoids, and these foods improve your immunity and retinal health, while helping your body make the most of other vitamins and minerals you consume.

Red foods are filled with lycopene and more nutrients that help keep your blood pressure at healthy levels, prevent prostate cancer, and potentially improve arthritis symptoms.

Green foods have fiber, folate, calcium, and beta-carotene, helping you chop down your bad cholesterol and blood pressure, improve your digestive health, give your immune system a boost, and fend off various cancers.

White foods, though often considered the bottom of the food chain, can have a substantial effect on your good health. With a variety of nutrients, white fruits and vegetables reduce your risk for a variety of cancers and increase your immunity to illnesses and diseases. Just remember: white potatoes should NOT be considered a vegetable. Because of their sugar makeup they should be considered a starchy food like white rice or bread.

Until next time – Live Life Well,

John Aaron Villarreal

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The content and information on this site is not intended to diagnose,
cure, treat or prevent disease. Please consult your physician
prior to starting any exercise or diet program.
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