| In the quest to color your diet with vivid vegetables and flavorful fruits, don’t forget to include the great green group every day, and work towards improving eye health, strengthening bones and teeth, and reducing the risk of certain types of cancer.
Antioxidants protect cells by intercepting free radicals, which are by-products of oxidation, and can be damaging to cells over the years — in the form of cancer, cataracts, heart disease, or a weaker immune system. Romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, kiwi, honeydew melon, broccoli, and collard greens contain antioxidants from the carotenoid group called lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants are also being studied for their role in eye health by helping keep the retina strong.
Phytochemicals are a substance found in plant foods that contain disease-preventing and protective compounds. The cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kale contain a group of phytochemicals called indoles, which studies are showing may be protective against breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.
In addition to beneficial phytochemicals and antioxidants, these gorgeous green fruits and vegetables contain plenty of vitamins such as folate, minerals like calcium, and fiber!
So be a lean, mean, eatin’-green machine, and devour at least one serving of green fruits or vegetables every day!
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