Be sure to include red fruits and vegetables in your low-fat diet to help maintain:
- Heart health
- Memory function
- A lower risk of some cancers
- Urinary tract health
The specific phytochemicals in the red group being studied for their health promoting properties include lycopene, quercetin, and anthocyanins. These chemicals are strong antioxidants, possibly more potent than vitamin C or vitamin E. Antioxidants protect against cell damage in a variety of ways. Quercetin and anthocyanins may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by blocking the oxidation of LDL “bad” cholesterol. This helps prevent the development of clogged arteries that can diminish or stop blood flow to the heart.
Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins which have been identified as having a bacteria-blocking effect. These compounds promote urinary tract health by disabling certain harmful bacteria, making it difficult for them to “stick” to the urinary tract and cause infection. One serving of cranberry juice cocktail a day could significantly decrease the amount of bacteria in the urinary tract.
Get your reds every day by eating fruits and vegetables such as:
| blood oranges |
beets |
red grapes |
| red potatoes |
radishes |
red peppers |
| pink/red grapefruit |
cherries |
raspberries |
| pomegranates |
radicchio |
tomatoes |
| cranberries |
red onions |
red apples |
| strawberries |
tomatoes |
rhubarb |
| red pears |
watermelon |
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