Nutrition Rainbow Pt.II: Orange & Yellow
Mother Nature’s sunny-colored whole foods are chock-full of nutrients that work to support healthy skin, night vision, and strong bones. Similar to their neighboring colors, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are rich with antioxidants that protect us from the damaging effects of free radicals, and function to promote overall health.
Beta-carotene, or Vitamin A:
Beta-carotene is the pigment responsible for giving fruits and veggies their vibrant orange & yellow colors. It's also a powerful antioxidant which the body converts to vitamin A--an important component for color & night vision. Vitamin A also plays a significant role in our immune, as it aids in the activation of T-cell response (cells that fight bacteria/virus/parasite directly).
Other benefits:
Protection against sun damage
Delay cognitive aging
Keeps teeth & bones healthy
Helps mucous membrane repel bacteria
Vitamin C:
This antioxidant helps stimulate bone growth & enhances the absorption of iron, rebuilds depleted collagen in the skin, and even plays a role in optimal functioning of certain hormones during menopause.
Other benefits:
Protection against cardiovascular/heart disease & stroke
Boosts immune--protects against common cold
Lowers hypertension & cholesterol
Form/maintain connective tissue & blood vessels
Other Important Nutrients Found in Orange/Yellow Whole Foods:
zeaxanthin
lycopene
potassium
copper
folate
Benefits: Anti-inflammatory, prevention of neural tube defect in unborn infants, ulcer formation, & kidney stones, reduce blood pressure & metabolic syndrome, improve overall cardiovascular function, and support protein digestion.
Top Oranges:
Orange/tangerine/clementine, cantaloupe, mango, persimmons
Carrots, squash, sweet potato, orange bell pepper, pumpkin
Top Yellows:
Pineapple, banana, lemon
Yellow bell pepper, ginger, yellow tomatoes, turmeric, sweet corn
disclaimer: images are for reference purposes only and are not owned by either author of this post or owners of this website.