Eat a rainbow
Have you ever heard that it is important to “eat a rainbow” of foods?
There is five different color categories: red, purple/blue, yellow, green and white/brown. Each color carries its own set of unique disease fighting chemicals called phytochemicals. It is these phytochemicals that give food their vibrant color and of course some of their healthy properties.
Red nourishes the heart, Yellow/Orangebenefits the spleen and stomach, Green nourishes the liver, Black/Purple/Bluenourishes the kidneys, White/Brown moistens the lungs.
Chinese medicine has carefully studied the relationship between the organ and the color of food. Chinese medicineemphasizes the significance in maintaining a healthy, balanced body.Every color of food has to be eaten in moderation, each color is rich in specific nutrients that help vitalize the 5 principle organs in our body, restoring the balance in the body as a whole.
Western nutrition studies have shown that “Rainbow Diet” provide a variety of nutrients and antioxidants which help boost a person’s immune system, maintain and improve health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Red
Benefits: A carotenoid, lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with a reduced risk of some cancers, especially prostate cancer. Besides that, lycopene may help to lower blood cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.
Yellow/Orange
Benefits: Carotenoids give this group their vibrant colour. Beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, and alpha-carotene are all orange-friendly carotenoids and can be converted in the body to vitamin A, a nutrient integral for vision and immune function, as well as skin and bone health. Another carotenoid called lutein is stored in the eye and may help to prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Examples: Carrots, mangos, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, apricots, soya bean, corn, millet
Green
Benefits: This colour group contain a range of phytochemicals such as carotenoids, indoles and saponins, all of which have anti-cancer properties.Besides that, green vegetables are rich infolic acid and vitamin K. Folic acid help to prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy and vitamin K is essential in blood clot formation.
Examples: Broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, brussels sprouts, mung bean, green bean, kiwi fruit
Black/Purple/Blue
The plant pigment anthocyanin is what gives this group their distinctive color. Anthocyanin also has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage and can help reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease.
Examples: Eggplant, blueberries, blackberries, prunes, plums, purple grape, black soya bean, black sesame
White/Brown
White food contain a range of health-promoting phytochemicals such asanthoxanthins, sulfur, allicin and quercetin.Anthoxanthinshelp lower cholesterol and blood pressure; sulfurhelp with protein structure and skin health; allicin has anti-tumor properties while quercetinhas anti-inflammatory properties.
Examples: Cauliflower, brown pears, mushroom, white peaches, garlic, potato, barley, lotus seeds
Rainbow grains for your health
GoodMorning 18 Grains is made from selected 18 types of premium whole grains with 5 colors of phytonutrients. Each color is rich in specific nutrients that help vitalize the 5 principle organs in our body.Besides that, GoodMorning 18 grains is high in dietary fibre, protein, vitamin B, vitamin E and minerals such as iron, calcium and zinc which help to promote overall health and strengthen our immune system. Whole grains and dietary fibre can promote better blood cholesterol level, improve blood pressure and control blood sugar levels.