I Didn’t Know That!
By Paula Peirce, Colorado Master Gardener
The Power of Purple
You may have heard that eating a variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables is good for you. You may have also asked, “How can the color of a food make it healthy?”.
It’s fun to know that plants have evolved their own defense against viruses, bacteria and other health threats in the form of phytochemicals. Different phytochemicals make plants different colors. Purple foods contain phytochemicals called anthocyanins. When we eat purple foods, this phytochemical may help prevent a variety of health conditions including cancer, heart disease, stress and oxidative damage.
(left to right) concord grapes, purple cabbage, seedless grapes. Photos: Pixabay
It makes sense that purple foods have special healthful properties, so we should eat them regularly. It is easy to forget about these purple superfoods. Pick your favorites from the list below and add them to your weekly shopping list. Then branch out and try some new ones. The key is to add these foods to your meal plan every week.
Planning next year’s garden? Look for some easy to grow purple foods like purple kale and eggplant and give it a try! Here is a recipe to get you started.
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