If You're Seeing Red....You're.....Alive and Well!

Hey everyone! I'm sorry my posts keep getting later and later each day. The last few days have been pretty busy, both mentally and physically! As a matter of fact, I've been up 37 hours straight as of right now! Note to self: talk about proper sleep cycles in the next challenge and follow it yourself! Oh well! A little overtime is worth it right?!

So...welcome to day one of the challenge! I hope you all got your red fruit and/or veggie in today!

So...why are red fruits and vegetables good for you in particular?

Well, do you slightly remember my previous blog's mention of phytochemicals? Hard to forget something that exciting right!? If you clicked the link for phytochemicals in that blog, then you know that plants are the only natural origins which produce phytochemicals (natural chemicals which help the body fight against diseases and are linked to good health overall). Two phytochemicals which can produce red hues are lycopene and anthocyanins.

Lycopene, found in red fruits and veggies such as tomatoes, red bell peppers, watermelons, ruby red and pink grapefruits, etc., helps to decrease the risk of getting cancer according to the National Cancer Institute.

Anthocyanins, found in red fruits and veggies such as beets, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, red cabbage, apples, cherries, kidney beans, red onions, and red beans, Mmmm...red beans and rice!!! are known as antioxidants basically the body's little superheros, which have been linked to lowering/controlling high blood pressure and helping the circulatory system (which has also been linked to preventing diabetes in some cases.)

According to Dr. DiSogra, Director of NCIs 5 A Day for Better Health Program, a minimum of seven servings of fruit/veggies per day are required for women and at least nine servings are required for men in order to keep the body running under the most nutritionally sound conditions.

So...did you eat your red fruits and/or veggies today? If so, please share what you ate in the comment section! I love new recipes and I'd be delighted to learn how you prepared your red fruits/veggies for the day!

Challenge for Friday (Day Two of Seven):

  Blue/purple fruits and/or vegetables (eat at least one full cup! :)

Have an awesome night!