Purple fruits and vegetables: more nutrients and color in your dishes!

When we recommend adding fruits and vegetables in our diet, we automatically imagine that the only way to achieve this is by making a plan that includes fruits and vegetables with striking colors and those that are most abundant and visible in at the supermarket. Among them, we usually find citrus fruits and vegetables, which are yellow, orange, and green, etc.

Purple is a rather moderate color. This secondary color expresses passion, creativity and balance, and without a doubt we should give it more than one look. It turns out to be a magic formula for our health and its benefits are indisputable.

Purple fruits and vegetables seem scarce but there is actually a wide variety of them to distribute throughout our weekly diet. Why are purple foods important? They contain anthocyanins and phenolics that help prevent different types of cancer, problems of the digestive system and heart disorders, in addition to improving memory and circulation, and delaying the aging process, among other things.

Here are some of the purple fruits and vegetables that we love!

Eggplant:

Eggplant has antioxidant properties because it contains carotenoids and polyphenols, which help to delay aging, and also protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. It also stimulates the digestive system and improves visual function.

Blueberries:

Blueberries are rich in vitamin C and K, in addition to their fiber content, and of course anthocyanins that prevent high cholesterol and urinary tract infections. Research claims that they have an effect on the brain, by delaying or preventing neurodegenerative diseases associated with aging.

Red cabbage:

Purple cabbage or red cabbage contain fiber and have great satiating power. In addition, they have various vitamins, such as A, B1, B3, B5, B9, and vitamin C.

They also have a direct effect on the eyes, due to the large amount of zeaxanthin and lutein they contain, and they help with strengthening bones, and boosting your immune system.

Purple onion:

Onions have already been identified as a highly beneficial food, however purple onions have more nutrients that you should know about, and they have a much milder flavor than white onions. Their properties include: heart protection, strengthening the immune system, and reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In addition, they reduce the risk of developing different types of cancer, among other things.

Purple potatoes:

Purple potatoes have more antioxidants than conventional potatoes. They are tubers that contain fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. But their content of anthocyanins are the secret.

Açaí:

Açaí is a source of antioxidants and fatty acids such as omega 3 in the form of a berry, which controls premature aging, and protects against cardiovascular diseases. It has a very characteristic energetic power, acts as a diuretic, and reinforces the immune system, among other things.

Plums:

Plums also have antioxidants, and facilitate intestinal transit, since they have a large amount of water. They contain fiber and function as a diuretic, helping to eliminate toxins. They protect our vision, as well as the nervous system and the respiratory system, and a million other benefits.

Beets:

Also known as beetroots, they are also rich in antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, help in detoxification processes, and reduce blood pressure. This vegetable is rich in nitrates, strengthens the immune system, and fights bacteria that attack the brain directly. They have a high content of fiber, vitamin C, and minerals such as potassium and magnesium.

Purple foods not only provide their benefits individually, but if you combine them with other fruits and vegetables, your dishes will be even healthier and you will receive double the nutrients. Try to include them in your diet!