HOW TO BE HAPPY, RICH & ROMANTIC

       COLOUR YOURSELF HEALTHY WITH FRUITS !

Now scientists are saying ,”An Apple A Day Isn’t Enough !”  Yes, we are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. Scientific evidence has shown that the benefits of increased fruits and vegetables consumption is a significant measurement of one’s health and well-being.  The Food and Drug Administration’s dietary guidelines recommend three (3) to five (5) servings of vegetables and two (2) to four (4) servings of fruits a day. Some sources recommend more. So “an apple a day”  is  really not enough !

The types and assortment of fruits and vegetables is just as critical as the amount. It is important to mix up your daily intake. A particular vegetable or fruit alone, regardless of the quantity , will not give you all the nutrients you need to get healthy.

 Fruits are among the most phytonutrients-rich foods in nature with powerful antioxidant properties, and thus can be important dietary sources for combating oxidative stress in animals and humans. Mother Nature ensures fruits are pigmented by important plant antioxidants such as anthocyanins and carotenoids by its colour. A plant’s healthful attributes are often evident in its colour. Birds use fruit colour as honest signal of dietary antioxidant sources.

The following shows the list of colours associated with some common fruits and vegetables with the phytonutrients they contain.

White colour = Most fruits and vegetables which are white in colour e.g bananas , cauliflower, onions, turnips usually contain plenty of allicin.  Allicin and other phytonutrients in this categary may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Black , Blue and Purple colour = Fruits that are black , purple and blue in colour like blackberries , blueberries , asparagus , eggplant , purple grapes , purple cabbage, plums, prunes contain plenty of resveratrol. Resveratol and the associated phytonutrients are powerful antoxidants and may provide extra protection against cancers, infections of the urinary tract and could possibly sharpen brain function and vision.

Green colour = Fruits and vegetables which are green in colour e.g  broccoli , avocados , green grapes , honeydew melon , brussels sprouts, kiwi fruits, peas, celergy , artichokes, limes contains lutein.  Lutein and other nutrients in the “green ” family may decrease your risk of certain cancers, help maintain bone integrity , and help reduce the onset of cataracts and age-related muscular degeneration.

Red colour = Red apples , cherries , beets , radish , strawberries , red grapes , tomatoes , watermelon and all the other red colour fruits an vegetables contain lycopene. Lycopene is claimed for its potential to decrease the risk of various cancers, and it may offer support against cardiovascular and lung diseases.

Yellow and Orange colour = Yellow or orange colour fruits and vegetables like lemons , carrots , mangoes , oranges , papaya , peaches , sweet potatoes , grapefruits , contain carotenoids. Fruits high in carotenoids may help protect against cardiovascular problems , promote healthy vision and cell function, and provide an extra boost to the immune system, Carotene is also a precursor to vitamin A.

Ancient Chinese have long believed that colours represent the various five (5) elements of the whole Universe vis: Metal , Water , Wood , Fire , Fire & Earth. They also identified that all these elements reflect the characteristics of each of our body internal organs - Lung , Kidney , Liver , Heart , Spleen. The following chart will give you a guide to the relationship between the colours , the five elements and the body internal organs :

Five Colours    Five Elements       Five Internal Organs         Five Flavours 

White                     Metal                       Lung                       Pungent

Black                     Water                       Kidney                    Salty

Green                    Wood                        Liver                       Sour

Red                        Fire                          Heart                      Bitter

Yellow                   Earth                        Spleen                    Sweet

The Chinese loves to cook their food with various colourful vegetables and fruits. No wonder food lovers all over the world consider the Chinese cuisine as being the most colourful decorated food presented on the dinning table ! The Chinese believe that eating an assortment of  coloured vegetables and fruits would help to nourish the respective body internal organs, thus boosting one’s energy and enhancing one’s health .

Chinese Taoist sages had always reminded us : ” To blend with Mother Nature , Feel the elements of Nature , Smell the aroma of Nature , Taste the natural goodness flavours of Nature. This is the Way to Health , this is Tao to Longevity !.

So colour your health , colour your life ………

Tags: Food //