You may be wondering what in the world that statement means.
When I first heard it, it sounded absolutely absurd to me.
How in the world can you “eat the rainbow”, and what is “the rainbow”??
In nutrition the expression is used to tell clients to eat fruits and vegetables to get a wide range of nutrients to nourish the body.
Because the more colors you eat when it comes to plants, the more anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, healing compounds you be consuming.
Fruits and vegetables use their colors to signal which beneficial substances they contain.
The colors attract insects and animals that will disperse the plan’s seeds, they are known as phytonutrients, and each color represents a different group of healing compounds.
Red indicates the compound lycopene, it’s what gives tomatoes and bell peppers their color.
High levels of lycopene lead to smoother skin, less wrinkles and protection from UV damage.
Blue-purple indicates the compound anthocyanins that give eggplants, blueberries and purple potatoes their color.
Anthocyanins have been found to delay cell aging, protect the skin from UV damage and increase collagen and elastin in the skin leading to healthy plump skin.
Green indicates the sulforaphane found in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards and kale.
Sulforaphane is a powerful antioxidant that destroys free radicals leading to healthier, younger looking skin.
Pale green-white is from allicin found in onions, garlic and leeks.
Allicin kills acne causing bacteria, helps to reduce swelling and inflammation and improve blood circulation thereby allowing the skin to receive more nourishing nutrients to keep it smooth, firm and reduce sagging.
Orange is alpha- and beta-carotene found in carrots, pumpkins and sweet potatoes.
I have spoken a lot about beta-carotene, it’s an antioxidant and the precursor to vitamin A (retinol) in the skin.
Alpha-carotene is also an antioxidant, but much more powerful then beta-carotene, converts into vitamin A as well, but high levels of this particular compound are linked to a longer life span.
Yellow-green color comes from lutein and zeaxanthin found in corn and mustard, but these compounds are also found in vegetables that don’t appear yellowish at all, such as spinach, peas and avocado.
Both lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that protect the skin from sun damage and improve skin tone and slow aging.
Do you think about what the foods you eat are doing for you skin?
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