Why Eating The Rainbow Is Essential For Good Health

Have you heard of the term 'eating the rainbow'? If you haven't, now's a good time. It is a popular nutritional term that signifies eating food and vegetables of a wide variety of colours. Fresh produce in vibrant hues doesn't just make a good picture for the 'gram, you know. It also benefits your health in many ways. If you're wondering exactly how, read on.

How Are Food Colours And Benefits Related?

It isn't by coincidence that fruits and vegetables in bright hues are good for you. According to Food Revolution, their colour comes from specific phytonutrients within them. These are naturally occurring chemicals which provide a host of benefits to the body. Many of us may not even realise that we are falling short of nutrients, which the right foods can provide to us.

What Are The Benefits Of Each Coloured Food?

Red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene, ellagic acid and other antioxidants. According to Today's Dietitian, lycopene has been associated with reducing the risk of cancer and heart attacks while supporting the health of prostate and breast tissue. Red foods to eat are tomatoes, beetroots, watermelons and apples.

Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables are rich in Vitamin C and beta-carotene. They are known to be good for eyesight and immunity as well as for healthy skin and bones. Yellow and orange foods to eat are oranges, lemons, mangoes and carrots.

From their colour alone, green fruits and vegetables have been known as health foods. They are enriched with lutein, folate and Vitamin K. They are associated with healthy pregnancies, lower blood pressure and overall health. Green foods to ear are spinach, kiwis, broccoli and peas.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables are rich in phytonutrients which have been studied for their anti-ageing and heart health. Blue and purple foods to eat are red cabbage, blueberries, plums and prunes.

To truly get the best out of eating the rainbow, make sure you supplement it with a healthy, balanced diet and eat these vegetable and fruits in their most unprocessed forms.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.