Fruits and vegetables are a good source of many nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, folate, beta carotene, vitamin E, vitamin K, and healthy oils. Many observational studies show a relationship between eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables and a reduction in many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Certainly, much of the credit for their health benefits can be applied to their rich nutrients. But it is also highly probable that the power-packed phytochemical content of these foods contributes to this observed relationship. Thousands of these phytochemicals have been identified in fruits and vegetables, and it is probable these compounds work together with other food components to produce a positive effect. Trying to isolate all these compounds and put them in a supplement with the hopes of reaping all the benefits of food is not likely. Since the coloring compounds in fruits and veggies are often phytochemicals with health-promoting roles, eating a rainbow of colors from fruits and vegetables is a good way to improve your healthy eating plan. Add more variety to your intake by looking at the colors on your plate and thinking of additional fruits and vegetables with colors you can start adding in.
This content is provided to you freely by BYU-I Books.
Access it online or download it at https://books.byui.edu/sustaining_life/342_fruits_and_vegetables_group.