Taste the Rainbow at the Downtown Westminster Farmers' Market

For as long as we can remember, we’ve all been told to eat our fruits and vegetables; I couldn’t get up from the dinner table unless my greens were gone. With all of the health studies out today, we know fruits and veggies can reduce the likelihood of chronic diseases like stroke, type-2 diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.  Fruits and vegetables come in all shapes, sizes and COLORS -- how do we know which ones to eat for the greatest health benefit? The key is to eat a variety of color. Each differently colored fruit of vegetable has its own unique health benefit to offer. Here are a few examples:

RED: contains varying amounts of health-promoting phytonutrients such as beta carotene and lycopene. These nutrients help fight several types of cancer and heart disease, and help to maintain eye health. Tomatoes in canned or paste form actually have a higher concentration of these essential nutrients. Other red fruits and vegetables, especially berries and beets, contain anthocyanins, a group of phytonutrients that are powerful antioxidants which help control high blood pressure and protect against diabetes-related circulatory problems. Look for strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers, raspberries, watermelon, rhubarb, and beets.

ORANGE/YELLOW: high in important phytonutrients such as vitamin C, folate, beta-carotene and potassium. These vibrant fruits and vegetables can help support the body's iron absorption, increase healthy cell production, help produce healthy, glowing skin and boost the immune system. You can gain these nutrients by enjoying peaches, apricots, tangerines, oranges, cantaloupe, yellow squash, corn and lemons.

GREEN: contains essential nutrients such vitamin A, fiber, lutein, calcium, folate, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. These nutrients help reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, normalize digestion, support healthy and
vision, fight harmful free-radicals (antioxidants), and boost immune system
activity. Choose from a healthy selection of broccoli, artichokes, celery, green beans, avocados, cucumbers, spinach, green apples, green pears, kiwi, asparagus
and green peppers.

BLUE/PURPLE: the single most powerful source of antioxidants. Antioxidants, found naturally in many fruits and vegetables, neutralize destructive compounds called free radicals in the body. Blue/purple foods also help prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals, and therefore may reduce cholesterol, fight certain cancers, prevent macular degeneration, immune deficiency and diabetes. All of this nutrition is packed into blueberries, blackberries, acai berries, plums, raisins, and eggplant.

WHITE: colored by pigments called “anthoxanthins." They contain nutrients that help provide powerful immune boosting activity and are good sources of the mineral potassium, too. Bananas, cauliflower, garlic, ginger, turnips, onions, and parsnips are all great sources.

Looking for this rainbow of foods?  There’s no better place to find it than to
visit the Downtown Westminster Farmers’ Market on Tuesday afternoons and
Saturday mornings.  Eat local, and fill your bags with a rainbow of colors at the Downtown Westminster Farmers Market! We’ll see you around downtown! Like us on Facebook! (www.facebook.com/downtownwestminster)