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Dawn Jackson Blatner, Responds:
Produce does have a color key. Because plants grow outside, they develop an immune system to protect them from sun, wind, rain, and insects. The various colors found in fruits and vegetables indicate that they contain different types of nutrients.
Red fruits and veggies, such as tomatoes and watermelon, contain lycopene, an antioxidant that may help prevent cell damage. Some green veggies contain lutein, which may help promote eye health, and others are rich in folic acid—needed for healthy pregnancies. Orange-yellow fruits and veggies, such as papayas, carrots, and pumpkin, contain beta-carotene that may help prevent cell damage.
No one color is better than the other. The variety of colors means that these foods contain different compounds that may benefit various parts of your body. The next time you’re shopping for produce, fill your cart with plenty of colors: green, red, blue to purple, yellow to orange and white.
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Dawn Jackson Blatner
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