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For healthy eating, start seeing red

Red is the color of love and of good health, too.
Add red to your plate and you're adding the phytochemicals lycopene and anthocyanin. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring protective components found in plants, believed to contribute to human health.

Lycopene is found in tomatoes, particularly cooked tomatoes. It is thought to play a role in protecting the body from different forms of cancer, including cancer of the cervix, colon, bladder, stomach and prostate. Lycopene also promotes heart health, keeping your cardiovascular system running well.

Anthocyanins, found in red foods such as apples and in red wines, might be responsible for improving cardiovascular health as well.

Add splashes of red to your plate and truly take care of those you love.

Red pepper: Blend strips or dices of red pepper into a pasta dish, slice it plain and serve it as an appetizer with a tasty dip.

Radicchio: Brush some radicchio leaves, or chicory, with olive oil before grilling them, or wrap medallions of goat cheese with the beautiful crimson leaves, and then grill the bundles for a tangy appetizer.

Radicchio, the bitter-tasting, burgundy cousin of endive, is gaining popularity among nutritionists because of research that shows its high capacity for absorbing oxygen-free radicals, substances naturally produced in our bodies that can attack and damage healthy cells.

Strawberries: Lucky for us, they are available almost year round. Those coming in from other parts of the world or Florida hot houses don't have the same sweetness of a locally grown strawberry on a summer day, but they still are lovely.

Originally Published: www.medicalindustry.net