We have heard it for most of our lives – eat fruits and vegetables for good health!
It’s true – the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber that fruits and vegetables contain help to keep us healthy by enhancing our immune system and fighting disease. But did you also know they play a role in your performance and recovery?
They contain natural forms of vitamins and minerals that contribute to the repair of your body. For example, Vitamin C (found in bell peppers, oranges, cantaloupe, papaya, tomatoes, etc.) facilitates the healing process by contributing to the formation of collagen, a protein used to build scar tissue, blood vessels, and new bone cells. Vitamin A (found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and yams) helps to make white blood cells for fighting infection and repairing micro-tears.
Each of the colors of a fruit or vegetable offer a different health benefit to the body:
- Yellow: Optimizes brain function
- Red: Supports heart and circulation
- White: Enhances immune system, lymph system, and cellular recovery
- Purple: Promotes microcirculation
- Green: Rejuvenates musculature and bone structure
- Orange: Supports skin and mucosal tissues
GOAL: Eat a rainbow often! Choose a variety of colors when eating fruits and vegetables (example: If you eat a salad – spinach, tomatoes, carrots, and orange bell pepper or for a fruit salad – banana, strawberry, honeydew melon, and blueberries.)
Aim to have at least three servings of vegetables a day and two servings of fruit.
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