All The Colour Your Body Needs

This article has been researched and written by Arelang Naturals^® in-house writers.

Beige, bland meals that lack nutritional value are no fun to look at or eat. A rainbow on the other hand, is all things colourful and can put a smile on your face and make your body happier and healthier. Eating a variety of colourful produce is not only important for maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, but it's also a feast for the senses.

Studies suggest that coloured plants and veggies have a special ingredient in the mix called flavonoids, which makes the coloured produce antioxidant-rich and helps your body stay healthy and ward off potentially risky chronic diseases.

Every colour of fruit and vegetable contains specific nutrients essential for optimal health.

Let's start with the brightest and favourite colours: orange and yellow. Fruits and vegetables in this cheerful colour are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. This essential nutrient helps maintain healthy vision, cognitive function, skin, and immune function. A recent study suggests that eating bright fruits and veggies every day may be the key to slowing cognitive decline and keeping your brain sharper for longer and found that yellow or orange spices, fruits, and veggies offered the strongest protection, with 38% reduced risk, which equates to 3 to 4 years younger in brain age. The next time you're enjoying a juicy orange or munching on some sweet potato fries, know that you're also doing your body a favour.

Love is in the air and so are the colours that remind us of it, red and pink. These colours can make us feel warm and fuzzy inside, reminding us of the passion and romance that we associate with love. But, did you know that some fruits and vegetables in this colour also contain compounds that can benefit our hearts and overall health and give the body the love that it needs? Example, tomatoes, watermelon, and beets are all packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that is known to have anti-cancer properties, particularly in reducing the risk of prostate, lung, and stomach cancers. It also helps prevent heart disease and improves vision, skin health, and more. Lycopene is most readily absorbed by the body when cooked, so try adding some roasted beets to your salad or simmering some homemade tomato sauce for your pasta dish. And if you aren't one to cook yourself the healthiest meal, try a candyceutical like Replenish With Phytos for a natural and more absorbable alternative.

A colour often associated with sickness, green, when it comes to food offers a plethora of health benefits. It makes your body do a happy dance of health. Algae like spirulina, chlorella and leafy greens like spinach, kale, and collard greens are a powerhouse of nutrients, including iron, calcium, and vitamin K. These essential nutrients help maintain healthy bones and prevent anaemia. In addition, greens are rich in antioxidants, like vitamin C and beta-carotene, which help protect against cellular damage and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Often, eating your greens seems like a nightmare, so we keep avoiding it till our body becomes nutrient deficient. A delicious way to eat your greens and avail all the benefits is Replenish With Green gummies, candyceuticals that help your body get essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals from natural plant-based ingredients.

Incorporating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables into your meals doesn't just provide nutritional benefits it also makes your meals more visually appealing and enjoyable. You know what they say about your body digesting and absorbing foods that it enjoys looking at and tasting the best. Adding brightly coloured berries to your oatmeal or yogurt can make your breakfast more exciting. Roasting up some carrots or bell peppers as a side dish can bring some excitement to a simple dinner. Even a salad can be jazzed up with a variety of colourful veggies and fruits like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries.

But it's not just about making meals look pretty. Eating a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables can also help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Many of the nutrients found in colourful produce have been shown to have protective effects against these diseases. For example, the antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can help neutralise free radicals in the body that can damage cells and increase the risk of chronic disease. A recent study about the impact of coloured plants and veggies on cognitive function suggested that people with the best results ate at least half a serving of foods like celery, orange juice, grapefruits, pears, and peppers every day. More specifically, participants who consumed 600 milligrams (mg) of flavonoid-rich foods each day showed a 20% lower risk of cognitive decline compared to those who ate 150 mg of these foods.

So, the next time you're tempted to reach for a beige, bland meal, think about adding some colour and excitement to your plate. Not Skittles or MnMs as they are high in sugar and have no benefits. Although, if you do crave candy, a good one to eat would be a candyceutical like Replenish With Phytos, gummies packed with essential plant-based potent extracts from coloured plants and veggies to help your body fight oxidative stress, reduce hairfall and boost immunity. By incorporating a rainbow into your meals, you're not only doing your body a favour, but also making mealtime more enjoyable for yourself. A win-win situation!