Rainbow Foods & Their Benefits

Rainbow Foods & Their Benefits

A healthy diet doesn't have to be boring: in fact, the more natural colours you put on your plate, the better! Phytonutrients, which give plants their colour, are also responsible for the vitamins and mineral content of our fruit and veg. In other words, you'll know the good stuff on the inside from the colour on the outside.
While it can be tempting to stick to your favourite salad, a green-heavy diet lacks the benefits of purple and orange. Stocking up on rainbow foods ensures a healthy dietary balance of phytonutrients - and it's a lot more fun than a multi-vitamin! 

Red
Vibrant tomatoes, red peppers and strawberries get their enticing red skin from lycopene. This antioxidant protects against degenerative diseases, and it is also associated with a reduced risk of heart disease in men. Canned tomatoes actually contain more lycopene than fresh produce, so stock up on tomato sauces and salsa! 
Red berries are packed with anthocyanins, known to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Orange
Carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkins are full of beta-carotene, an orangey pigment that the human body converts into vitamin A. Also known as retinol, this vitamin is good for skin, immunity and strengthening the eyes.  
Oranges are full of vitamin C, best known for preventing scurvy but also essential for maintaining healthy organs.
Yellow
Yellow foods help digestive health and have anti-inflammatory properties. Bananas contain potassium, thought to help regulate blood pressure, and are a good source of fibre.
Corn contains vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, which is used to treat digestive ailments.
Green
Renowned green 'superfoods' are packed with super antioxidant powers and an abundance of vitamins. Broccoli serves up a hefty dose of Vitamin K to help protect arteries and regulate blood clotting, while avocado is full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Spinach contains omega 3 fatty acids - yes, the same kind found in salmon!
Blue
Blueberries get their colour from flavonoids. With more antioxidants than red wine, blueberries help to prevent age-related diseases, including certain cancers and cardiovascular problems.
Purple
Purple foods like blackberries and plums get their anti-inflammatory properties from anthocyanins. Purple fruits and vegetables like aubergine and purple kale are also associated with minimising the risk of high blood pressure.  
...and pink!l
Pink grapefruits also contain lycopene, and have one of the highest antioxidant concentrations in the citrus aisle.
Beetroot gets its pink colour from betacyanin, which speeds up liver detoxification - the ultimate hangover cure! This antioxidant is also thought to inhibit cancer cells.

A varied and colourful diet is definitely one of the best ways to keep healthy. Make sure to include all the colours of the rainbow in your weekly shop - not only will your plate look pretty, your body will be ete.