Seeing Red, and Loving It!

Improving our healthspan, the part of our total lifespan when we are looking and feeling and bodies are working at our very best, is a key reason I recommend taking Rejuvant™ to my patients. But the foods we eat play a large role in our health as well, and I tell my patients whenever possible, choose foods that are naturally red.

Why red? Desire. Passion. Love. These are all things we associate with the color red. Even as far back as prehistoric times, the color meant fire and life-giving blood, two things our early ancestors needed in good supply in order to stay healthy.

But would it surprise you to know that way back then as well as today, red foods and beverages are an essential part of a balanced diet? It’s true!

Red foods are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and natural ingredients that can do everything from fight heart disease and inflammation to reduce our cancer risk and prevent aging ailments like Alzheimer’s.

So let’s explore the top five red foods and beverages that will have you seeing red, and loving it!

Beets

When we think of red foods, a whole host of fruits might come to mind. But did you know that red vegetables are also important to include in our diet?

Deep ruby red beets are a powerhouse of nutrition! According to studies, beets are excellent sources of lycopene, folate, and anthocyanins. (1) These healthy antioxidants, “may do everything from fight heart disease and prostate cancer to decrease the risk of stroke and macular degeneration.” (2)

Beets can be added to salads or served as a side dish on their own. There are so many ways to enjoy them, including pickled on their own or as part of your favorite soup or sandwich.

Make beets a regular part of your diet and reap not only their fresh, rich flavor but also their fantastic health benefits.

Red Seafood

We all know that seafood is a healthy lunch or dinner choice, but it has many benefits that extend beyond what we have previously thought. The antioxidant Astaxanthin is what gives some seafood its stunning orange-red hue.

But that’s not all. It has been reported that astaxanthin reduces oxidation. (3)

This is good news because that means it can fight things like inflammation, the progression of eye and heart diseases as well as cancer. (4) And a bonus? It may also protect against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. (5)

The best sources of red seafood include salmon, lobster, shrimp, and rainbow trout. (6) For these reasons alone, consider adding some seafood to your plate and reap the benefits of this red food.

Red Wine

If you love red wine, raise a glass to you and your health! According to the Mayo Clinic Staff, “antioxidants in red wine called polyphenols may help protect the lining of blood vessels in your heart.

A polyphenol called resveratrol is one substance in red wine.”(7) This is good news because a healthy heart means a healthier you. But do so in moderation.

The Mayo Clinic Staff goes on to say that “Red wine’s potential heart-healthy benefits look promising. Those who drink moderate amounts of alcohol, including red wine, seem to have a lower risk of heart disease.”(8)

So go ahead and enjoy a nice glass of Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz or Zinfandel with your next meal and propose a toast a long and healthy life.

Remember, I said “moderate” amounts!

Strawberries

Strawberries aren’t just for making jam. These petite powerhouse fruits are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and more. In fact, a serving of about eight strawberries has more vitamin C than an orange. (9)

And the National Institutes of Health report that this vital vitamin acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals.”(10)

According to Jo Lewin, Associate Nutritionist at BBC Good Food, “strawberries are an excellent source of vitamins C and K as well as providing a good dose of fiber, folic acid, manganese, and potassium.” (11)

She goes on to say that “they have been used throughout history in a medicinal context to help with digestive ailments, teeth whitening, and skin irritations.”(12)

Studies have also shown that they may aid in the war against cancer as well as lowering cholesterol. (13) Even more reasons to add these juicy scarlet gems to your diet.

You can eat them fresh or frozen; it doesn’t matter. Add them to your yogurt, cereal, and smoothies for an extra boost of flavor and for your well-being.

Tomatoes

Do you love a sweet marinara or a spicy arrabbiata on your pasta? Well, then you are in luck!

Tomatoes and tomato sauce are one of the healthiest red foods there are and if you’re a spaghetti lover, you probably already have this staple in your diet.

According to studies a daily serving of tomato sauce can “reverse the progression of prostate cancer.”(14)

This is because tomatoes and tomato sauce contain the important ingredient lycopene “is a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits, including sun protection, improved heart health and a lower risk of certain types of cancer.” (15)

The article goes on to state that eating food containing lycopene is much more beneficial than supplements. So what are you waiting for? Cook up a nice pot of pasta for dinner and top it with your favorite tomato sauce.

And if you love tomatoes, but aren’t fond of sauce, don’t despair! Tomatoes also contain lycopene but in smaller doses. Toss them in your salad or roast them in the oven and add them to your favorite dish.

Whichever way you slice them, tomatoes and tomato sauce are worth a try!

Red Fruits Revealed

So there you have it. Five of the most versatile red foods that can improve your health and your life.

And that’s not all.

Other red fruits and juices such as cherries, cranberries, grapes, pomegranate, raspberries, and watermelon have similar benefits to those listed above.

And if you are looking for more red vegetables, try eggplant, red peppers, red cabbage or red onions. There is a world of red fruits and beverages out there just waiting for you to try them and see for yourself how seeing red can be great for the healthspan!

Works Cited

Mann, Denise. “Red Foods: The New Health Powerhouses?” WebMD, www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/red-foods-the-new-health-powerhouses#1. Accessed 15 May 2019.

Mann, Denise. “Red Foods: The New Health Powerhouses?” WebMD, www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/red-foods-the-new-health-powerhouses#1. Accessed 15 May 2019.

“Astaxanthin.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/astaxanthin#1. Accessed 16 May 2019.

“Astaxanthin.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/astaxanthin#1. Accessed 16 May 2019.

“Astaxanthin.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/astaxanthin#1. Accessed 16 May 2019.

“Astaxanthin.” WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/astaxanthin#1. Accessed 16 May 2019.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart?” Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281. Accessed 16 May 2019.

Mayo Clinic Staff. “Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart?” Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/red-wine/art-20048281. Accessed 16 May 2019.

Amidor, Toby. “Eating by Color: Red.” The Food Network. www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/healthy-tips/2011/02/eating-by-color-red. Accessed 15 May 2019.

“Vitamin C.” National Institutes of Health. www.ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/. Accessed 16 May 2019.

Lewin, Jo. “The Health Benefits of Strawberries.” BBC Good Food. www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-strawberries. Accessed 15 May 2019.

Lewin, Jo. “The Health Benefits of Strawberries.” BBC Good Food. www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/ingredient-focus-strawberries. Accessed 15 May 2019.

Amidor, Toby. “Eating by Color: Red.” The Food Network. www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/healthy-tips/2011/02/eating-by-color-red. Accessed 15 May 2019.

“Eating The Rainbow: Why Eating a Variety of Fruits and Vegetables Is Important for Optimal Health.” Food Revolution Network, www.foodrevolution.org/blog/eating-the-rainbow-health-benefits/. Accessed 15 May 2019.