Eat the Rainbow: Powerful Health Benefits of Colorful Foods!
By: Stephanie Heino
Did you know that the color of fruits and vegetables can actually give you specific information about the benefits of a specific fruit or vegetables. Take a look at how each color is associated with certain health benefits, and learn how to eat the rainbow!
The Yellow Power. Yellow foods such as pineapple, citrus, corn, yellow tomatoes, yellow grapefruit, papaya and yellow peppers all contain important nutrients to keep the body functioning properly. For example, pineapple contains bromelain which is an enzyme that contributes proper functioning of the digestive system. Did you know that citruses can inhibit the formation of cancerous cells, and therefore protecting against breast cancer, skin cancer, etc. In addition, it’s no secret that vitamin C and folic acid found in citrus fruits have an amazing effect on the immune system by strengthening it, while also reducing the negative effect of free radicals. You may not think of corn as a miracle vegetable but it actually is a significant source of lutein and zeaxanthin which are two remarkable substances that reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration caused by aging. On top of this yellow foods are also rich in flavonoids and fitonutrients which plays a detoxifying role.
The Red Power. In fruits and vegetables like peppers, radishes, cherries, watermelon, red grapefruit, strawberries, red grapes, pomegranate, and red apples we find an important substance called lycopene which can significantly reduce the risk of prostate cancer up to 35%. This substance also has a significant role in preventing heart diseases, ovarian cancer and also for the recycling of glutathione, also called the protein of life. This is one of the most powerful antioxidants produced in our bodies and it plays an amazing role in eliminating toxins from our body. Red fruit and vegetables have so many benefits to your health, and what I found most amazing is that by eating only a half of cup of tomatoes you can reduce ovarian cancer up to 60%! Wow, I am having a salad full of tomatoes tonight, so many nutrients, super low in calories and prevention of ovarian cancer. Score!
The Orange Power. This truly spectacular color is found in foods such as carrots, mangoes, peaches, nectarines, pumpkin, sweet potato, oranges, squash and melon, and gets its color from beta-carotene, a terpenoid that is converted by the body into vitamin A. Vitamin A plays an important role in our body from helping to smooth the function of white blood cells to acting as an important beneficial antioxidant. This vitamin, along with two other types of carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, is essential to strengthen the immune system and to give us good vision. Beta-carotene also has a huge effect on preventing the development of cancer cells in the stomach, as well as in preventing heart diseases by decreasing cholesterol levels.
The Green Power. Green is known to be the color of life, and I think many people associate the vibrant color with health and vibrancy. We have been told to eat our greens for as long as we can remember, and once and for all, we will tell you why your parents didn’t let you leave dinner before you had eaten your leafy greens. The green pigment is found in green apples, grapes, kiwi, avocado, pistachio nuts, broccoli, spinach, zucchini, lettuce, asparagus, celery, peas, cucumber and so many more. In green plants we find chlorophyl,l which helps in lowering the risk of liver cancer. In addition to this substance we find nutrients like potassium, fiber, folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, iron, carotenoids and omega 3 fatty acids. As if this wasn’t enough of a reason to go make a green juice right now, we also find tryptophan in the green plants, which is a substance that helps strengthen bones and teeth, and gives us a good vision while defending our body against cancer! So go eat your greens!
Tips For Younger Looking Skin
By: Stephanie Heino
Forget the fountain of youth, and simply take a look on what goes into your grocery bag. This is a guide on how to increase the foods that you should consider your anti-aging staples. Fruits and vegetables high in flavonoids and carotenoids, two powerful plant-based antioxidants, are given since they will remove the free radicals from your skin and body that cause you to age prematurely. Overall, a well-balanced diet can help you lose weight, live longer and feel fitter. But it can also help you look younger. It doesn’t have to be so hard. Stop looking for expensive, unnatural products being advertised on TV promising you younger-looking skin by the morning. Instead load up a plate at the feel-better buffet and turn back the clock on a full (and happy) stomach. Exercise and a healthy diet are the best (non-surgical) ways to keep you looking years younger. But certain foods possess qualities that will improve your skin, boost your energy, and even fight of disease.
Spinach. This leafy green is a true nutrient powerhouse, and it’s easy and tasty to use as the base of a salad, or even in your smoothies. Spinach is rich in lutein, which has been shown to have anti-aging properties.
Cinnamon. Research shows that cinnamon may decrease the post-meal insulin spike. And the more controlled the spike, the less likely you are to store body fat. Add 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon in your smoothie for great taste, but also to help slim your waistline. And, it’s a powerful antioxidant too!
Sweet Potatoes. They do more than to fill out the table at Thanksgiving, ladies. Sweet potatoes contain lycopene, which protects your skin from UV damage. It also is loaded with vitamin C, which produces collagen for healthier skin.
Green Tea. It keeps showing up in many of my posts, but it is truly a miracle drink. Whether you drink it hot or cold, or use it as a refreshing base for soups or stews, green tea might help you look younger. In fact, Chinese researchers found that people who drank 3 cups of green tea per day slowed down the aging process. And the reason is that green tea might improve your DNA structure and slow the shorten of cells that results during aging. Great!
Watermelon. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene. Carrots are filled with beta-carotene. And watermelon is loaded with both vitamins, which help protect your skin and repair cells that are damaged by sunlight.
Hemp. Most people know that salmon is a strong source of omega-3s, but so is hemp. Hemp seeds and oils are a natural moisturized, which helps your skin retain moisture and counteract the effects of aging. Eat the seeds raw, or add the oil to your favorite smoothie.
Pistachios. These little green nuts are not only high in nutrition, but they also have a major benefit over other nuts since they come in shells. According to a study published in the journal Appetite, subjects consumed 41 percent fewer calories when in-shell nuts are offered compared to those already shelled. Those who eat nuts gain, on average, an extra two and a half years. Nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fats, so they offer benefits similar to those associated with olive oil. They’re also concentrated sources of vitamins, minerals and other phytochemicals, including antioxidants.
Blueberries. These colorful little berries are high in fiber, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and a great source of antioxidants that may help protect the brain and skin.
Olive Oil. Four decades ago, researchers from the Seven Countries Study concluded that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil were largely responsible for the low rates of heart disease and cancer on the Greek island of Crete. Now we know that olive oil also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that may help prevent age-related diseases.
I also want to share 5 easy beauty steps you should follow in order to achieve younger looking skin:
1. Choosing the correct skin care products for your skin type is an essential part to younger looking skin. Either if you are having problem skin or not you should go for all natural skin care products since products that containing harmful ingredients can increase your chance of premature ageing. Natural ingredients will help your skin remain wrinkle free for as long as possible. Remember, less is more!
2. Always use a good eye cream that contains vitamin A. They will soften the fine lines that appear under your eyes by boosting the collagen production. Never use your face moisturizer as your eye cream as these creams weren’t meant for such skin areas. Using a suitable eye cream will also help with under eye puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles.
3. Your face cream must always contain SPF 15 sunscreen which will protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. UVA rays from the sun can damage the collagen, which can result in premature aging and wrinkles.
4. You know it is important to cleanse your face daily, but don’t forget to exfoliate regularly. This will eliminate dead skin cells and giving you younger and more glowing skin.
5. Believe it or not, but exercise can contribute in a great way to get younger looking skin. Aim to be active for at least 30 minutes a day by going for a walk, go running or even chasing your kids around the local park. Exercise gets your blood flowing, and an increase in blood flow will carry more oxygen to the skin. The boost in blood flow and oxygen to the skin cells also carries nutrients that improve skin health, supporting all the effort you make with moisturizers and other skin care products.
