Eat colourful foods for health and longevity

However, many times we are not told what we should eat to stay healthy. It is not enough to know which diet to ditch; we also need to know which one to adopt for healthy living.

A doctor of Chinese medicine, who is also an authority in anti-aging medicine, Mao Shing Ni, contends that human beings can find longevity at the end of the rainbow. By this, he means eating naturally colourful foods - as opposed to those laced with artificial food colourings - leads to good health, a precursor of sound aging.

Indeed, the new dietary guidelines from the American Dietetic Association encourage people to literally colour their plates with a rainbow of foods, especially to ward off health and beauty problems - from heart disease to wrinkles. Eastern wisdom believes that health and longevity depend on a balance of the five elemental energies represented by five colours: red, orange/yellow, green, white and blue/purple. Some have ascribed the eating habits of the Asians to be the reason for them having longer life expectancy.

Nutritionists contend that both Western nutritional science and Eastern wisdom agree that when you eat foods that contain all the colours, you are working far more disease-combating nutrients and vitamins into your meal. Vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes, nuts and grains all contain these colours in varying degrees, and are therefore worthy for the table.

Red Colour psychologists say just as is the case in the fashion world, red seems to have dominance with regard to actual food products as well. Experts say this is probably because red is the colour that induces hunger, as it instantly attracts attention. Nutritionists say it also makes people excited, energetic, and increases the heart rate.

The fragments that impart the red colouring to many foods are known as anthocyanins, flavonoid compounds that fight free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to cells.

The antioxidant, lycopene, which is found in pink grapefruits, tomatoes and watermelons, has been shown to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Other red coloured fruit and vegetables are strawberries, apples, red bell peppers and kidney beans.

Tomatoes take the lead here. They are a terrific source of vitamin C with a touch of vitamin A, potassium and fibre. Nutritionists say tomatoes fights skin aging and may be beneficial against cancer and heart disease simply because of lycopene, an antioxidant.

Orange and yellow

Foods with yellow and orange colours help the eyes and skin. The carotenoids that are responsible for the bright colours take care of free radicals, improve the eyesight and bolster the immune system. Orange/yellow foods include, oranges, tangerines, plums, pineapple, mango, corn, melon, sweet potatoes, carrots, pawpaw, cashews, millet and grapefruit. Beta-carotene, which is the precursor to vitamin A, can help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, while the vitamin C and folate (folic acid) in citrus fruits can peel away free radicals and boost immunity.

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Eat colourful foods for health and longevity