Juanita Watts, MD, is our women's health leader in Southern California. She explains how the colors of the rainbow can help you prevent cancer, maintain your weight, and sharpen your mind.

There's an easy way to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk for health conditions such as heart [...]]]>

Juanita Watts, MD, is our women's health leader in Southern California. She explains how the colors of the rainbow can help you prevent cancer, maintain your weight, and sharpen your mind.

There's an easy way to help maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk for health conditions such as heart disease and cancer: Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables.

Following are a few of my favorite building blocks for health:

• Ravishing reds. Tomatoes, red bell pepper, watermelon, and pink grapefruit are among the foods that get their color from lycopene. This antioxidant helps lessen the effect of disease-causing free radicals, which are molecules or atoms that can damage cells and genes. For men, lycopene may also decrease the risk of prostate cancer.
• Outrageous oranges. Orange and yellow foods contain beta-carotene, which may help keep your mind sharp. Apricots, peaches, yams, and carrots are some examples that also contain cryptoxanthin, an antioxidant that acts like an anti-inflammatory agent and may lower the risk of arthritis.
• Glowing greens. Leafy greens, such as spinach and collard greens, and broccoli contain vitamin C, beta carotene, folic acid, and many other phytochemicals. These compounds work together to help reduce your risk for cancer and heart disease.
• Blue blends. Dark blue and purple fruits and vegetables—such as blackberries, purple cabbage, and eggplant—contain anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent tumor growth and protect against vascular disease.
• Brown beanies. Lentils and beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber works to lower your cholesterol. Insoluble fiber can decrease constipation and help prevent weight gain.

For local, in-season fruits and vegetables, visit a farmers' market at one of our medical facilities. Find a farmers' market near you.

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