“Phytonutrient”
means literally a plant-based nutrient. Mother Nature provides us with an
abundance of disease-fighting, tasty, and colorful foods, all of which pack a
powerful punch of flavor and health benefits. The phytonutrients in plants work
to protect them against insects, bacteria, ultraviolet light, and extreme
weather. In much the same way they protect plants, phytonutrients protect you.
One class of
phytochemical, known as polyphenols, has been touted as a powerful antioxidant.
Antioxidants destroy free radicals—components in the body that destroy healthy
cells and can lead to disease. The American Cancer Society even promotes the
consumption of antioxidant-rich foods, stating that one type of polyphenol
(flavonoids) acts “as antioxidants and may protect against some cancers and
heart disease.”
Get Colorful!
The basic rule
of thumb when choosing your fruits and vegetables? Select from a rainbow of
colors! The deep colors give fruits and vegetables their antioxidant and
disease-fighting powers, and different colors contain different benefits. You
simply can’t go wrong if you eat a variety of citrus fruits, cruciferous
vegetables, allium vegetables, and purple, red, and green produce.
Four Categories of Phytos:
Eating a diet
rich in colorful produce means incorporating the following varieties of
phytonutrients:
·
Anthocyanins – found in deep purple or red-colored
fruits such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries, red grapes, and
blackberries. These have been shown to boost metabolism and short-term memory.
·
Carotenoids – found in yellow and orange-colored
fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, peaches, carrots, and pumpkin.
These are powerful immune system boosters and can also improve eyesight. The
antioxidant value of carotenoids makes them impressive disease-fighters.
·
Catechins – found in apples and green or black
tea. Catechins help to burn abdominal fat (the dangerous type of fat) and aid
in weight loss.
·
Flavonoids – found in berries, pomegranates, red
onions, the skin of apples and red grapes. These have been increasingly linked
to slowing the growth of cancer cells.
The evidence
supporting the consumption of phytonutrient-rich produce is impressive. Tap
into the power of whole, organic food to reveal anti-aging and disease-fighting
properties. You won’t find anything in pill form that can equate to the
impressive health benefits found in a rainbow of garden fresh produce.
Here at The Monument Market we strive to have available the freshest and in season fruits and vegetables we can find.
We are proud that what we sell is 100% organic and locally grown. Two very important steps in your choice of making sure you are eating a rainbow of colors.
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Saturday, Sept. 19th Workshops
10:30 a..m. - In the garden with Michelle - Talking all about weeds!
11:30 a.m. - Nutrition with Sandra - Talking about toxins. Where they lurk and how to avoid them.
Hope to see you then,
Sandra
