You have no doubt heard the buzz about the new food group called super foods. The foods found in this group all have properties that help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. Many of these foods can be sub categorized by color as each color has a specific set of health benefits. Since summer is in finally in full swing and the sun is scorching hot, let’s talk about the red hot super foods!
Blood Orange
The best thing about the blood orange is that it contains the same polyphenol and vitamin C power found in oranges as well as the potent anthocyanins found in many berries. These anthocyanins are phytonutrients that help in preventing oxidative stress caused by free radicals and they can also help control inflammation in the body.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes should be a staple superfood kept on hand because they can easily be added to lots of different meals. While there is a lot of debate over whether tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable, there is little to no debate on how beneficial they can be to your health. Tomatoes are packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and promotes healthy skin and tissue lining. They’re also great sources of vitamin E and potassium. And while you might not think of tomatoes as being a great source of vitamin C, each one contains about half of the recommended daily dose.
Cherries
Cherries can easily be added to healthy snacks like yogurt, low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt. They are also an easy to take on the go snack full of antioxidants that help our heart operate more efficiently and remove toxicity levels in our kidneys and livers. Cherries are also great sources of melatonin, which helps naturally regulate sleep/wake cycles.
Radishes
Radishes are high in potassium, which helps in blood pressure regulation and isothiocyanates, a phytonutrient that might help prevent cancer growth. They can add a little color and a kick of flavor to salads, veggie trays or pasta salads, plus they are easy to grow and grow quickly so you can even try to harvest your own!
Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is a versatile vegetable that is packed with Vitamins C and K, antioxidant phytonutriants and glucosinolates, which triggers your body to produce its own detoxification enzymes. Red cabbage can be thrown raw into salads, used as a garnish, or boiled or steamed for a great side dish.
Goji and Acai Berries
You’ve probably heard of at least one of these two antioxidant-rich berries, but do you know what kind of benefits they offer? Goji berries have a higher concentration of Vitamin C than many different citrus fruits. They have also been found to help prevent and/or treat diabetes, hypertension, malaria, fever and even cancer.
Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers not only add flavor and color to a wide variety of different dishes, they are also loaded with lots of different nutrients. Aside from powerful antioxidants, red bell peppers also have Vitamin B6, folic acid and fiber, plus Vitamins C and A which help reduce your risk of heart disease, some cancers, cataracts and even reduce symptoms of arthritis and asthma.
Blood Orange
The best thing about the blood orange is that it contains the same polyphenol and vitamin C power found in oranges as well as the potent anthocyanins found in many berries. These anthocyanins are phytonutrients that help in preventing oxidative stress caused by free radicals and they can also help control inflammation in the body.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes should be a staple superfood kept on hand because they can easily be added to lots of different meals. While there is a lot of debate over whether tomatoes are a fruit or a vegetable, there is little to no debate on how beneficial they can be to your health. Tomatoes are packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system and promotes healthy skin and tissue lining. They’re also great sources of vitamin E and potassium. And while you might not think of tomatoes as being a great source of vitamin C, each one contains about half of the recommended daily dose.
Cherries
Cherries can easily be added to healthy snacks like yogurt, low-fat ice cream or frozen yogurt. They are also an easy to take on the go snack full of antioxidants that help our heart operate more efficiently and remove toxicity levels in our kidneys and livers. Cherries are also great sources of melatonin, which helps naturally regulate sleep/wake cycles.
Radishes
Radishes are high in potassium, which helps in blood pressure regulation and isothiocyanates, a phytonutrient that might help prevent cancer growth. They can add a little color and a kick of flavor to salads, veggie trays or pasta salads, plus they are easy to grow and grow quickly so you can even try to harvest your own!
Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is a versatile vegetable that is packed with Vitamins C and K, antioxidant phytonutriants and glucosinolates, which triggers your body to produce its own detoxification enzymes. Red cabbage can be thrown raw into salads, used as a garnish, or boiled or steamed for a great side dish.
Goji and Acai Berries
You’ve probably heard of at least one of these two antioxidant-rich berries, but do you know what kind of benefits they offer? Goji berries have a higher concentration of Vitamin C than many different citrus fruits. They have also been found to help prevent and/or treat diabetes, hypertension, malaria, fever and even cancer.
Red Bell Peppers
Red bell peppers not only add flavor and color to a wide variety of different dishes, they are also loaded with lots of different nutrients. Aside from powerful antioxidants, red bell peppers also have Vitamin B6, folic acid and fiber, plus Vitamins C and A which help reduce your risk of heart disease, some cancers, cataracts and even reduce symptoms of arthritis and asthma.