By Ginger Cochran, MS, RDN, CDCES, CEP-ACSM
Orange and yellow-colored fruits and vegetables are not only eye-catching, they offer incredible health benefits this enhance your wellness from head to toe. In this blog, we will explore the abundant medicinal benefits of orange-colored fruits and vegetables and why we at Designer Wellness include them in many of our products.
- Immune Boosting Vitamin C
Orange-colored foods like bell peppers, oranges, and mangos are well known for being rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps eradicate free radicals in the body and plays a crucial role in helping to produce collagen, healthy skin, and blood vessels.
Adding vitamin C-rich orange foods to your daily diet is effortless. Simply grab a Tropical Mix Protein Smoothie while running out the door or crunch on carrots with hummus at lunch.
- Vision Enhancing Carotenoids
Most orange-colored foods get their rich glow from a group of plant chemicals called carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein.
Beta-Carotene is a precursor to Vitamin A, an essential nutrient for maintaining good vision and eye health. Lutein protects the eyes from harmful ultraviolet light and reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Try including carrots, orange or yellow bell peppers, and sweet potatoes in your dinner nightly. During the day, you can grab Designer Wellness Peach Mango Smoothie for a perfect protein snack on the go.
- Potassium Boosting
Potassium is an essential mineral in orange foods like mangos, apricots, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Potassium plays a pivotal role in heart health by regulating blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
Incorporating potassium-rich orange color foods is easy and delicious. Try dark chocolate-covered apricots, mango slices on your yogurt, and a Designer Plant smoothie with mango and carrot extract in its health-promoting ingredients.
- Anti-Oxidant Loaded
Bright orange-colored fruits and vegetables are well known for their robust array of antioxidants. Antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols counteract oxidative stress caused by free radicals. We are all exposed to free radicals daily from high pollutants, gas stoves, car exhaust, hair spray, plastics, etc. Preventing cellular damage can help reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
When grocery shopping, make sure to include at least one orange-colored food for the most health-enhancing cart. Our Designer Wellness Protein Smoothies in Peach Mango and Tropical Fruit are great shelf-stable protein snacks to keep on hand.
- Anti-Inflammatory
Ginger and Turmeric are well-known anti-inflammatory foods in the orange-colored food family. Ginger contains gingeroll. Turmeric contains curcumin. Regular consumption of both of these has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation significantly,
Designer Wellness Turmeric Support Gummie is a great one-stop shop for ginger and curcumin. Each gummy contains 260 mg of curcumin and 10 mg of ginger. You can also sip on turmeric and ginger iced teas throughout the day for a refreshing way to hydrate and reduce inflammation.
6. Nourishing the Skin
The health benefits of orange-colored foods extend to our largest organ – the skin. The abundance of antioxidants, vitamin C, and beta-carotene in these foods promotes collagen production, giving the skin a youthful and radiant appearance. Additionally, these nutrients help protect the skin from sun damage and may reduce signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines.
Including oranges, carrots, peaches, mangos, and sweet potatoes in your diet can support a natural glow from within.
Bottom Line
Vibrant orange-colored foods are medicinal foods that are beautiful to look at and include in the diet. There is a reason we have all heard health professionals preach, “Eat the rainbow.” Every color in nature has incredible health benefits.
These golden gems offer many health benefits, from bolstering the immune system with vitamin C to enhancing vision through carotenoids. Their heart-friendly potassium content, antioxidative power, and anti-inflammatory prowess make them valuable allies in the fight against chronic diseases.
Our product line at Designer Wellness makes, including health-enhancing orange-colored fruits and vegetables, easy even for the busiest schedules. Try the Designer Plant protein shake for an excellent breakfast. Enjoy Peach Mango Protein Smoothie as a snack during a busy day. Toss carrots on your salad at lunch. Sip on ginger turmeric tea during the day. Roast a sweet potato for dinner and indulge in a juicy peach or dessert.
References:
- Vitamin C and Immune Function
- Role of beta-carotene in vision
- Lutein and Eye Health
- Potassium and Heart Health
- Antioxidants in Health and Disease
- Gingerol and Its Health Benefits
- Curcumin's Anti-Inflammatory Properties
- Skin Benefits of Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene
In Health & Happiness,
Ginger Cochran, MS, RDN, CDCES, CEP-ACSM
