In the art and design world, reds, yellows and oranges are called warm colors. They are often used when the artist or designer wants to convey strong and powerful emotions. In the plant world, reds, yellows and oranges contain strong and powerful antioxidants called carotenoids. These carotenoids are crucial for many aspects of our health.
There are hundreds of plant-based carotenoids, but two of the most well-known ones are beta-carotene and lycopene. Beta-carotene is probably the best known carotenoid. It is the precursor to vitamin A, an important substance for vision and cardiovascular health. You can get beta-carotene in your diet from carrots, squash and mangoes.
Another strong carotenoid is lycopene. Tomatoes are a great source for this phytochemical, which is essential to cardiovascular, skin and prostate health. Unlike most other vegetables, the nutrients in tomatoes actually get stronger and more bioavailable when you cook or crush them. So go ahead and heap that tomato sauce on your pasta.
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Red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables are rich sources of carotenoids