Why Orange Is More Than Just A Pretty Color

As is obvious to readers of Mind Mart, orange is my favorite color. But orange is much more than just a pretty color. Orange pigment in food signifies nutrition. People with poor diets generally eat beige food—fries, bread, etc. In the case of orange fruits and vegetables the color means beta carotene and vitamin C–sometimes even the phytonutrient lutein as in the case of pumpkin and summer squash.

Some of the healthiest orange fruits and vegetables are sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, carrots, mangos, oranges and papaya. Let’s look at why these top 7 orange fruits and vegetables are so incredibly healthy–

As part of the root family, sweet potatoes are one of the best orange foods. They have huge amounts of beta-carotene, manganese, copper, fiber, B6, potassium, iron and just about anything else you think you could possibly pack into a small potato-like case.

Here are some interesting facts you might not know about sweet potatoes:

• Sweet potatoes are known to help stomach ulcers and inflamed conditions of the colon.
• Sweet potatoes appear to play a part in preventing cancer in certain organs and glands due to its high Vitamin A content.
• Due to the high content of Vitamins A and C, sweet potatoes help remove free radicals which damage cells.
• Sweet potatoes are great for people with diabetes because they help stabilize blood sugar levels.

Two foods that are closely related are Squash & Pumpkin and are loaded with fiber as well as beta-carotene.

• The squash family of vegetables is great at fighting off cancer, especially lung cancer, reducing the risk of heart disease and aiding in fighting against type-2 diabetes.
• Pumpkins specifically are great for urinary tract support and aid in the function of the kidneys. Years ago, pumpkin seed oil was even used to treat burns and wounds.
• Carrots, another root veggie, are a great food for eyesight, and the richest vegetable source for beta-carotene. Carrots reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease, help prevent macular degeneration, and help control insulin levels to those with diabetes.
  
• While cooking foods typically removes some of their nutrients, this isn’t so with carrots. Lightly cooking them actually helps to release the carotenes, which are otherwise trapped.
• Some of your favorite fruits are also some of the healthiest out there:
• Mangos are high in iron and help fight against anemia and reduce kidney problems, fever, and respiratory problems. They can even relieve clogged pores of the skin.
• Oranges, the typical orange fruit, is not so typical when you take a closer look.
• Because of the vitamins and antioxidants in an orange, they’ve been proven to help with asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, prevention of kidney stones, high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes.
  
• Oranges eaten in larger amounts can even decrease a runny nose.
• Papaya contains digestive enzymes, which help break down some of the more difficult foods in our stomach, such as beans, dairy, and even meat. Due to the high fiber content, papaya also helps with constipation and even upset stomach.
• The one thing papaya has been known for around the world is its ability to prevent nausea, including morning and motion sickness if taken in the juice form.

If you’re looking to heal yourself of disease through your diet, consuming orange fruits and vegetables are a great way to get healthy. Combine them with a few servings of dark green vegetables and you have yourself a winning combination.

Does this help or do you have a problem with this?