17/05/2024
Colours = cures!! The colours in our food are given by a whole spectrum of phytochemical compounds. Some of these are antioxidants that are well known, but others can deliver almost drug like activities. Here are some examples:
Purple - these are from a wider group of chemicals called polyphenols. These have been shown to lower blood pressure by dilating our blood vessels, and also support a healthy diverse microbiome.
Orange & yellow - these are from carotenoids such as beta carotene and lutein. These help protect the skin from UV damage and reduce the redness of skin lesions such as acne and eczema. Carotenoids also help to protect the cardiovascular system from damage caused by cholesterol oxidation.
White (ie cabbage white, cauliflower etc) - rich sources of glucosinolates. These substances help to protect DNA from damage and improve cellular detoxification.
The key here - the more colour in your diet every day, the more exposure to these substances you get!