There are a number of red foods that are considered to be powerful superfoods offering a number of health benefits due to their potent antioxidant content. There are a wide variety of red colored fruits and veggies to choose from, with each offering something a bit different, from helping to prevent cancer to decreasing stroke risk and more.
Here is a look at five red foods to love and how they can help you to achieve better health.
Cherries
Cherries are not only incredibly delicious, but they are packed with antioxidants like anthocyanin which is thought to help reduce inflammation and even pain. They are also believed to fight cancer, diabetes and to aid in regulating blood pressure.
Cherries contain lots of vitamin C, potassium and fiber too. The antioxidants in cherries are known to slow down certain enzymes to relieve and prevent arthritis and gout in the body.
This tart, juicy fruit can even help slow the aging process due to the important flavonoids it contains, isoqueritrin and queritrin which help to battle against the damage of oxidative stress.
Beets
Beets have an earthy flavor but become sweet when cooked and are incredibly nutritious containing lots of folate and fiber. Betanin, a phytochemical known to boost immunity, is what gives them their rich, red color. Just one serving can help increase energy levels, reduce blood pressure and the pain of arthritis. The ancient Romans were even said to have used them as an aphrodisiac.
Cranberries
Cranberries aren’t just for Thanksgiving. This superfood is something you should enjoy all year long. They are available fresh in the fall and winter, and frozen year round. They contain lots of vitamin C and fiber while outranking nearly every fruit and vegetable when it comes to important disease fighting antioxidants. They’ve been shown to cause the death of cancer cells and can also help prevent bacteria from sticking to urinary tract walls.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin C and also contain plenty of vitamin A, fiber and potassium. It’s lycopene that gives them their bright red hue, an antioxidant that helps to battle skin aging as well as protect against cancer and heart disease, improve vision and lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
Chile peppers contain capsaicin which is an antioxidant that is known to protect blood vessels. It’s what makes peppers hot as well as helping to increase the body’s metabolic rate and even stimulate certain brain chemicals that can decrease hunger. When it comes to peppers, the hotter the better – the hotter they are, the more capsaicin they contain. Hot peppers also release endorphins which are known as “happy hormones.”
How often do you enjoy red foods?
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/nutrition_news_information/5_red_foods_for_health
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/red-foods-the-new-health-powerhouses