Enjoying a Rainbow of Produce – Yellow Fruits and Vegetables

A golden way to add more nutrition to your diet is by including a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. Besides livening up your dinner table, they may also help you enjoy a longer life.

There’s nothing to be cautious about when filling up on yellow produce. And laying claim to some of the most powerful of the 10,000 anti-oxidants, yellow fruits and vegetables not only brighten up your plate, they brighten up your eyes.

The benefits of yellow fruits and vegetables come from two main antioxidants – lutein and zeaxanthin – that work like a dynamic duo to protect your eyes. Their special powers and several delicious recipes are featured below:

Lutein – One of the mightiest antioxidants for the eyes, lutein slows macular degeneration, which is the leading causing of blindness in the elderly. Lutein also helps prevent cataracts, reduce the risk of heart disease and protect against breast cancer.

Zeaxanthin – Another potent antioxidant for the eyes, zeaxanthin helps build the yellow macular pigment that shields eye cells from dangerous light frequencies. It also neutralizes free radicals that can destroy cells in the eyes.

Yellow Peppers – http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/yellow_pepper_relish.html

Lemons – http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/roast-lemon-vinaigrette-10000001178501/

Pineapple – http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pineapple_jalape_o_salsa.html

Corn – http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/tilapia_corn_chowder.html

Yellow Squash – http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pesto_topped_grilled_summer_squash.html

Next week, we’ll discover how green fruits and vegetables are key to living a healthy life.

Sources – http://www.visivite.com/zeaxanthin-information.html

http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/fruitsvegetables/

http://raisingahealthyfamily.com/20-healthy-fall-fruits-and-vegetables/

http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/diet-and-nutrition/lutein