Red, yellow, purple, green. The different colors of fruits and vegetables offer clear clues to what they do — and how they help — inside your body. The chart below highlights just a few of the colorful benefits, but don’t worry about memorizing it — just eat a wide variety of colors to make sure your body gets all the things it needs to function at its best. As dietitians say: “Eat the rainbow.”

Colors/Plants	NATURAL COMPOUNDS/BENEFITS
Red-purple Grapes, raisins, pomegranates, plums, prunes, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, cherries, red apples, red pears, red peppers, eggplant, red beets	Anthocyanins, ellagitannins Prevent cancer, heart disease and dementia by capturing “free radicals” that cause inflammation; prevent LDL cholesterol from sticking to artery walls
Red Tomatoes and tomato soup, pink grapefruit, watermelon	Lycopene Blocks damage from free radicals, boosts the immune system, lowers LDL cholesterol, protects DNA
Orange Carrots, mangoes, apricots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, acorn squash, winter squash, sweet potatoes	Beta carotene, alpha carotene Boosts immunity; protects against cell damage; aids reproductive function
Yellow-orange Oranges, tangerines, yellow grapefruit, lemons, peaches, papaya, pineapple, nectarines	Citrus flavonoids Protect blood vessels from leaking or bursting; help cells resist oxygen damage; prevent too much inflammation in the body
Yellow-green Spinach, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, yellow corn, avocado, green peas, green beans, green peppers, yellow peppers, cucumbers, kiwi, romaine lettuce, zucchini, honeydew melon, muskmelon	Lutein, zeaxanthin Defends cells from damage; protects the eyes from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration
Green Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, kale	Sulforaphane, isothiocyanates, indoles Help detoxify cancer-causing agents by boosting liver enzymes
White-green Garlic, onions, leeks, celery, asparagus, artichokes, endive, chives	Allyl sulfides Suppress tumor growth by preventing excess cell division; protect and support healthy cells

 

COLORFUL RECIPE: SALSA CRUDA

Late summer/early fall is prime time for sun-ripened tomatoes, so get ’em while they’re hot. Those vibrant red, orange and yellow colors tell you that they’re loaded with lycopene and vitamin C — and they never taste better than when they’re in season. This easy uncooked salsa brightens any dish — try it on fish, chicken or pasta. If you prefer, you can warm it on the stove for a few minutes; cooking lowers the vitamin C, but boosts the lycopene. Either way, it’s delish.

• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 3 pounds mixed tomatoes, diced to 3/4″
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper

 

Rub a big bowl with the garlic, then discard the garlic. Add the tomatoes and lightly crush them with your hands to release their juices. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Makes 8 one-cup servings. Per serving: 75 calories, 5g fat (<1 g sat fat), 7g carbs, 2g fiber.

To spice it up: Add chopped jalapeño to taste.

For more zip: Toss in a teaspoon of capers.

As a meal: Add mini mozzarella balls.

 

Recipe from The American Diabetes Association.