Posted: January 10 2017 in A Little Slice of Evan

The new year is all about living healthy and happy! What’s trending in fruits and vegetables in 2017? Richly colored purple foods are popping up everywhere: purple cauliflower, black rice, purple asparagus, elderberries, acai, purple sweet potatoes, purple corn and cereal, cabbage and carrots! Think blueberries, blackberries, prunes, plums and figs! The power of purple goes beyond the vibrant color and often indicates nutrient density and antioxidants.

– boosts immune system
– lower LDL cholesterol
– fight inflammation
– good for the heart
– reduce cancer cell activity
– good for retinal health

 

Include these purple fruits and vegetables into your diet at least 4-5 days a week along with dark green, orange and yellow foods for maximum benefits.

Purple Foods

Purple Carrots
Purple carrots were first grown in the Middle and Far East, along with white, red, yellow, green and black versions. They are high in anthocyanins and pro-vitamin A carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants. They may also help with weight management and glucose control, and in one study, those with high levels of carotenoids had about half the risk of diabetes.

 

Purple FoodsPurple Cauliflower
Purple cauliflower is actually a type of broccoli that is purple and turns green upon cooking. Cruciferous vegetables have been touted for their cancer-fighting powers. Cauliflower has antioxidants and sulfur compounds that help your body get rid of the toxins that can damage cells and increase the risk of cancer.

Purple FoodsPlums and Prunes
Plums are a very good source of vitamin C, which can help with iron absorption. They are also a good source of vitamin A, vitamin B2 and potassium. In addition, plums are a good source of dietary fiber. A recent study found that regular prune consumption may decrease blood pressure and LDL (the bad) cholesterol. Additionally, both plums and prunes are full of phenols, natural compounds found in plants, which have protective properties.

 

Purple FoodsPurple Potatoes
Living up to their royal hue and lineage, purple potatoes have long been considered the food of gods — 7,000 years ago they were reserved for Incan kings in their native Peru. Today, purple potatoes are now grown in thousands of varieties in the US.

According to the USDA, potatoes with the darkest colors have more than four times the antioxidant potential than other potatoes. Purple spuds score as high as Brussels sprouts, kale or spinach on the antioxidant power scale. These potatoes are also a good source of complex carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin C, folic acid and iron.