Eating every color of the rainbow is a powerful way to boost not only heart health but also overall immunity...and no, we're not talking about Skittles. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are potent sources of antioxidants, which protect your body from harmful free radicals that can damage your cells and lead to disease. They're also rich in health-promoting phytonutrients (plant compounds), such as flavonoids, which help to nourish, strengthen and repair the body's connective tissues, including the blood vessels. In fact, studies have shown that flavonoids can actually improve the function of the lining of the vessels.
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Different colors denote different phytonutrients, so be sure to fill up your plate with as many colors as you can. And don't forget the herbs and spices!
Here are some of our favorites:
Red - strawberries, raspberries, cherries, apples, watermelon, pomegranates, cranberries, goji berries, red bell pepper, tomatoes, radishes, red potatoes, rosehips ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Orange - oranges, tangerines, papayas, nectarines, peaches, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, kabocha squash, acorn squash, orange bell peppers, calendula, turmeric
Yellow - lemons, grapefruit, mango, banana, yellow bell pepper, summer squash, delicata squash, corn, yellow tomatoes, ginger, mustard seeds, yellow dock
Green - grapes, pears, kiwi, leafy greens like spinach and arugula, hearty greens like kale and collards, broccoli, zucchini, brussels sprouts, asparagus, green bell pepper, celery, green beans, peas, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, micro-greens, cilantro, mint, parsley, dill, basil, chives, green onion, rosemary, thyme, lemon balm, nettles, chickweed, dandelion leaves, avocado
Blue/Purple - blueberries, boysenberries, blackberries, plums, figs, grapes, raisins, prunes, currants, purple carrots, purple cabbage, purple potatoes, eggplant, elderberries