Many nutritionists say one should have a variety of colors on their plates from yellow, green, red to even black. The colorations of foods can determine what benefits each food product can have. Black foods can contain high levels of antioxidants that help the immune system. But what benefits could other colors of foods could have. The color yellow is one that is associated with happiness, the sun, and can provide intellectual stimulation. Yellow foods are important for a different part of our bodies. It helps the nervous system and is directly involved with the organs that are a part of the digestive system. There are many different foods that fall into the yellow foods category. Here are just a few and their benefits.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH
The benefits of butternut squash are just now being discovered. It has a sweet mild taste to it and was a staple in the meals of Native Americans. The butternut squash is a great source of vitamins like A and C as well as iron and riboflavin. Since it is a good source of iron, those with anemia may find it useful for keeping their iron levels at a good range. Because of the vitamin A this vegetable helps with respitory problems such as emphysema.
YELLOW CORN
Corn is a wonderful source of many vitamins and nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin C, phosphorous and manganese. Corn also has a nutrient called folate which helps lower the levels of an amino acid that cause problems with the blood vessels reducing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Also it has been said that folate rich diets can reduce the risk of colon cancer. Corn also contains a B vitamin that promotes memory health.
YELLOW LENTILS
Lentils can be mixed with things such as rice and other grains for added benefits. Because lentils are high in fiber they can help reduce the risk of coronary disease. Much like corn yellow lentils have a high content of folate and other B vitamins that are essential for the blood stream to h elp reduce the risk of heart attack and other heart related problems.
BANANAS
Bananas are simply wonderful fruits; they are sweet and soft easy to use in many different ways. Bananas have high levels of potassium which many people need for their bodies. When one is trying to lose weight it is often suggested for those trying to lose weight to eat bananas. They help protect one from strokes, ulcers, improves blood health and cardiovascular health. Must like the other yellow foods bananas have a high quality of the vitamins one need for their health in many different ways.
LEMONS
Ah the lemon, many people pucker and have sore faces when a lemon is mentioned or tasted. But this sour treat has health benefits as well. The high level of acid is helpful in many digestive problems such as nausea and heartburn when mixed with hot water. When one drinks a glass of lemon juice in the morning that helps the body digest food better. This product is also thought to help those with urinary tract infections. Lemon juice can also help the symptoms of sore throat and tonsillitis.
When you add different colorations of food to your diet the health benefits are endless. Many of the vitamins and nutrients that one needs on a daily basis can be easily found in a variety of foods as shown in these five foods. Just simply adding a different color each day and mixing different things like corn and rice or lentils and rice could help your health improve dramatically.
