Health101

Produce optimal your wellbeing with the nutrition plan that you eat. You've heard the old saying "You are what you feed your body". How come you think so many individuals now a days afflicted by lifestyle induced problems? Maybe because we take in higher fat, high sugar, refined items and don't get enough exercise. A hundred years ago these disorders didn't even exist, but then again neither did McDonalds or Starbucks. The good and healthy food that you intake has the ability to help remedy you or make you sick and it's your choice on if you would rather be in good physical shape or lifeless.

Produce, fruit and veggies aren t just the healthiestfood you could and really should feed your system but they're amazing healing aids which can certainly reverse the lifestyle induced conditions that many peopleare suffering from today. Fruits and veggies contain vitamins and minerals, phytonutrients that provide our body systemswith anti inflammatory, detoxifying, natural antioxidantsand hormone balancing compounds. The coloration of vegatables and fruits are directly connected with their healing. Within the wilderness, the colour of plants is utilized as a protecting mechanism but in the physical body they impart in our biology to be expressed thru our DNA. We make use of their phytonutrients to healsicknesses, preventaffliction and function better.

Each colour of produce has different medicinalcompounds. We're still learning about how these healing compounds cooperate collectively however evidence supports that if consumed together additional benefits are noticed. Therefore it's vital to vary your intake of different colored produce (fruits or vegetables) on a daily.

Red Fruits & Vegetables: tomatoes, watermelon, red grapes, cranberries, strawberries, red beets, red peppers, pink grapefruit Phytonutrients: Red produce receive their color from carotenoids and flavonoids which are both antioxidants that eliminate " free radicals " from the body which can damage DNA. Lycopene and ellagic acid are the specific carotenoids and anthocyanins, quercetin and hesperidin are the flavonoids. Health benefits from these phytonutrients include reduced risk of cancer, improved heart health, prevention of heart disease, lowered blood pressure levels, improved memory function, reduced LDL cholesterol, improved urinary tract health, supporting joint tissues, and reduced damage from free radicals.

Orange & Yellow: carrots, mangoes, apricots, cantaloupes, pumpkin, acorn squash, winter squash, sweet potatoes, oranges, tangerines, peaches, papayas, lemons, pineapple Phytonutrients: These produce contain phytonutrients alpha and beta carotene, zeaxanthin, beta cryptothanxin, Lycopene, potassium, ascorbic acid(vitamin c), and folate. Overall health benefits include protection against cancer and heart disease, maintaining healthy ears, reduced age related macular degeneration, improved immune function, protecting the skin against harmful free-radicals and repairing damaged DNA.

Green: Spinach, avocado, green peas and beans, broccoli, cucumbers, honey dew, kiwi, green peppers, lettuce Phytonutrients: Green produce contain chlorophyll, sulforaphane and indoles, fiber, lutein, zeaxanthin, calcium, folate, vitamin C, and beta carotene. Overall health benefits include preventing cancer, improved vision, protection against cataracts and eye disease, maintaining strong bones and teeth, preventing osteoporosis, lowering blood pressure levels, lowering LDL cholesterol, boosting immune function and reducing free-radicals.

Blue & Purple: Eggplant, blueberries, figs, plums, purple grapes, raisins Phytonutrients: These colored produce contain antioxidants anthocyanins, lutein, zeaxanthins, resveratrol, vitamin C, fiber, flavonoids, ellagic acid and quercetin. Health advantages include anti aging effects, lower LDL cholesterol, boost immune system function, improved circulation, protection against blood clots, protection against heart disease and reduced risk of cancer and stroke.

White or greenish fruits and vegetables are colored by phytochemicals called anthoxanthins. They contain nutrients such as allicin, beta-glucans, EGCG, SDG, and lignans. White vegatables and fruits have health promoting chemicals that are anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral. The health gains of these fruits and veggies activate natural killer B and T cells, reduce the risk of colon, breast, and prostate cancers, balance hormone levels, prevent cancer and heart disease, lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure level. Some examples of white fruit and veggies are bananas, cauliflower, garlic, mushrooms, white nectarine, white peaches, onions, shallots and many others.