The color red is synonymous with many things…romance, love, mystery and …health.  Read on to know how red colored foods are super healthy.

1. Apple

One apple provides at least 10 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C and fiber. Dietary fiber can act in several ways to lower cancer risk, including helping with weight control. (Excess body fat increases the risk of seven different cancers, and dietary fiber can increase the feeling of fullness.) Gut bacteria can use pectin, a major portion of apples’ dietary fiber, to produce compounds that protect colon cells. Dietary fiber is known to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer.

Apples also contain a variety of phytochemicals that scientists are studying for their anti-cancer effects.  The peel of the apple contains a third or more of its phytochemical compounds. About 80 percent of quercetin, for example, is located in the peel.

2. Red cabbage

Red cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable.  The link between cruciferous vegetables and their components to cancer prevention is relatively well-studied.  . It is rich in Vitamin K which is required in clotting of blood. Red Cabbage is rich in Vitamin C which strengthens the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells that fight invading bacteria and infections.

3. Pomegranates

Pomegranates are excellent sources of fiber, and are low in calories. Pomegranates contain punicalagins and punicic acid, unique substances that are responsible for most of their health benefits. Punicalagin are found abundantly in the pomegranate juice. Studies suggest that punicalagin and tannins are effective in reducing heart-disease risk factors by scavenging harmful free radicals from the human body. The fruit is an also good source of antioxidant vitamin-C, provides about 17% per 100 g of daily requirement. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the body develop resistance against infectious agents by boosting immunity. Regular consumption of pomegranate has also been found to be effective against prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and lymphoma.  Pomegranate juice is used to treat dengue and other viral fevers as it is known to reduce inflammation

4. Red beans

Red beans are rich in fiber (20% of Daily Value) and a good source of protein (10% of Daily Value). They are also an excellent source of folate, a B vitamin. Foods containing folate help reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer probably because of folate’s role in healthy cell division and repair of damaged cells. Legumes contain other health-promoting substances that may also protect against cancer that include resistant starch, These starches  are not digested in the small intestine, but are used by healthy bacteria in the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids, which seem to protect colon health

5. Red grapes

 Both grapes and grape juice are rich sources of resveratrol, a type of natural phytochemical that belongs to a much larger group of phytochemicals called polyphenols.

The skin of the grape contains the most resveratrol, and red and purple grapes contain significantly more resveratrol than green grapes. Grape jam and raisins contain much smaller amounts of this phytochemical.

Studies suggest that polyphenols in general and resveratrol, in particular, possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

6. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the richest source of a powerful anti cancer antioxidant called “lycopene”.  Lycopene not only fights cancer and prevents inflammation that leads to chronic lifestyle diseases, but is also an effective remedy against aging and is known to enhance and support skin heatlh.  Lycopene is available only when tomatoes are cooked, so cooking them into a soup or a rasam is an easy way of getting some anti aging remedies at home!

All things bright, beautiful and healthful can be found right under one roof – at Calorie Care.  Simply log onto caloriecare.com to order your ideal health plate, today!