Follow the Rainbow to Good Health Eat in color

Phytonutrients Definition: a bioactive plant-derived compound (as resveratrol or sulforaphane) associated with positive health effects. These are called phytonutrients or phytochemicals."Phyto" refers to the Greek word for plant. These chemicals help protect plants from germs, fungi, bugs, and other threats.

Antioxidant Definition: Antioxidants are chemicals that block the activity of other chemicals known as free radicals. Adding antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to your daily diet will strengthen your ability to fight infection and disease.

Free Radicals Definition: An atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free radicals can damage cells and are believed to accelerate the progression of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and age-related diseases.

Carotenoids Carotenoids act as antioxidants in your body. This means they tackle harmful free radicals that damage tissues throughout your body. Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables have high vitamin A activity because of the carotenoids they contain Your body can convert all of these to vitamin A.

Flavonoids an amazing array of over 6,000 different substances found in virtually all plants, are responsible for many of the plant colors that dazzle us with their brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. What can high-flavonoid foods do for you? Help protect blood vessels from rupture or leakage Enhance the power of your vitamin C Protect cells from oxygen damage Prevent excessive inflammation throughout your body

Lycopene is a carotenoid and phytonutrient found in red fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pink grapefruits, watermelons and papayas. It is the compound that is responsible for the red color in these foods. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect against degenerative diseases.

Macromolecule/macronutrient any very large complex molecule; found only in plants and animals Macronutrients are nutrients that provide calories or energy. Nutrients are substances needed for growth, metabolism, and for other body functions. Since “macro” means large, macronutrients are nutrients needed in large amounts. There are three macronutrients: Carbohydrate Protein Fat

Cruciferous Cruciferous vegetables have it all: vitamins, fiber, and disease-fighting phytochemicals One of the big reasons to eat plenty of cruciferous vegetables is that they may help to lower your risk of getting cancer. especially mustard greens; various cabbages; broccoli; cauliflower; brussels sprouts

Lutein Lutein is a yellow-to-orange pigment found mostly in plants. Eating a diet with lots of colorful fruits and vegetables that contain lutein may also decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Anthocyanins Anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the red, purple, and blue colors of many fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, and flowers. In addition to acting as antioxidants and fighting free radicals, anthocyanins may offer anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer benefits.