Did you know that many of your favorite fruits and vegetables can be classified as functional foods? Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that include compounds, pigments, and antioxidants. Phytochemicals may help protect against heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and diabetes.
To maximize the amount of phytochemicals in your diet, choose a variety of color. Think dark, leafy green vegetables such as spinach. Go orange with carrots and sweet potatoes. The power of red can be found in tomatoes and berries. Blueberries are tasty blue treats packed with antioxidants. Don’t underestimate the goodness found in white fruits/vegetables such as cauliflower and bananas.
You may be wondering the names of the phytochemicals that are found in specific vegetables and fruits. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids. Carotenoids may help to reduce the risk of macular degeneration (a disease affecting the eyes that may result in blindness). Tomatoes have lycopene, which may reduce the risk of prostate cancers and other cancers. Berries contain anthocyanidins and ellagic acid, which are antioxidants and anticancer agents.
As you can see, mom was right! Eat your fruits and vegetables!
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