We know that we must have a balanced diet with foods from different groups, but have you ever thought about “color coding” your plate? It could be very beneficial to your health.
Reds: Shield against cancer
This group includes tomatoes, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, watermelons, plums and beets.
All of these, contain 2 fundamental phytonutrients that give them their color, and those are lycopene and beta-carotene which are known to posses anti-cancer properties.
Dietary intakes of total carotenoids, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene, have been associated with significant reductions in risk of lung cancer.
Greens: Maximum vitality
These green foods contain trocopherols and trocotrienols and these phytonutrients are members of the vitamin E family. The primary function of vitamin E is to serve as an antioxidant, protecting us from free radical damage.
Some examples of these are: broccoli, green beans, asparagus, green peppers and avocado.
Forever Living’s aloe vera gel contains the following stabilizing antioxidants: tocotrienol/tocopherol blend, rosmarinic acid, polyphenols, or any combination thereof.
Blues: Anti-inflammatory power
Blue fruits and vegetables such as grapes, blueberries, eggplant, plums, pomegranates and cranberries contain polyphenols. They are powerful antioxidants and they also show anti-inflammatory capabilities.
“A number of epidemiological studies have suggested that the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases. For example, red wine consumption might prevent cardiovascular heart disease, while frequent green tea consumption has been suggested to have an association with a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.” (Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 22, No. 3, 217-223 (2003) Published by the American College of Nutrition)
Yellows: The fountain of Youth
Oranges, pumpkins, squash, lemons, carrots and pineapples all belong to this group. They all owe their color to their beta-carotene content, which is a compound that protects the skin from sun damage and it is believed to protect our bodies from cancer.
Antioxidants such as beta-carotene, are believed to protect against the free radical cell damage that contributes heavily to premature skin aging and even new research says beta carotene could help diabetics ward off heart disease.
For an easy way to get all your daily “4 Colors of Health” in a convenient chewable tablet try Forever’s Nature’s 18
