Michelle Irwin
In Genesis 9:13, God sets a rainbow in the sky and says, “I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.” It’s amazing to me how He fashioned the rainbow out of the light of the sun and the water of the sky to create such beauty. Similarly, all plant life needs water and light for life. Is it possible, too, that God gave us healing promises in the rainbow of colorful fruits and vegetables that come from the earth?
In this article, we’ll explore the various health benefits of fruits and vegetables by their respective colors relating to the rainbow.
Red Foods—Contain lycopene and anthocyanins.
- Red Apples, Red Cabbage, Cherries, Cranberries, Red Grapes, Goji Berries, Red Leaf Lettuce, Red Peppers, Pomegranates, Red Potatoes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Ruby Red Grapefruit, Strawberries Tomatoes, Watermelon
Red fruits and vegetables contain lycopene, which help fight and prevent cancer. They also contain anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidants that protect cells. Antioxidants are also important to heart health.
Orange & Yellow Foods—Contain beta-carotene.
- Apricots, Butternut Squash, Cantaloupe, Mangoes, Nectarines, Oranges, Papaya, Peaches, Persimmons, Tangerines, Orange Peppers, Carrots, Yams, Grapefruit, Lemons, Pears, Pineapple, Yellow Peppers, Yellow Squash, Yellow Watermelon
Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene, which also help fight and prevent cancer. Beta-carotene is beneficial for the eyes, heart, and the immune system.
Green Foods—Contain lutein and folic acid.
- Green Apples, Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocados, Bok Choy, Broccoli Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Chives, Collard Greens, Comfrey, Cucumber, Dandelion Greens, Fennel, Green Beans, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lettuce, Limes, Okra, Green Onions, Parsley, Peas, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Tomatillo, Wheatgrass, Zucchini
Green fruits and vegetables are made up of chlorophyll, which contains lutein and folic acid. Lutein protects against macular degeneration, and folic acid is an important B vitamin that protects against birth defects. The “green” group is also critical for cell regeneration and healing.
Blue Foods—Contain powerful antioxidants.
- Purple Broccoli, Blue Cauliflower, Purple Carrot, Blue Grapes, Kelp, Blueberries
Blue fruits and vegetables help reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, and heart disease—while slowing the aging process!
Indigo Foods—Good sources of vitamin K and lycopene.
- Blackberries, Black Beans, Black Cherries, Black Currants, Black Olives, Black Raspberry, Boysenberries, Plums, Prunes
Violet Foods—Rich in antioxidants and vitamins.
- Black Tomatoes, Dulse (seaweed), Elderberries, Kohlrabi, Mulberries, Passion Fruit, Purple (Red) Onions, Purple Cabbage, Purple Eggplant, Purple Grapes, Purple Green Beans, Purple Peppers, Purple Plums
Simple Eat-Right Plan
Just as there are seven colors of the rainbow, there are seven days of the week. You could incorporate into your diet a selection from each color for each day of the week. Why not make Sunday your “red” day, Monday your “orange” day, Tuesday your “yellow” day, and on down the line? Or try to eat a rainbow every day through juices, salads, smoothies, and soups.
No matter what your strategy is for eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, we can be sure that God’s gift of health is certain through His rainbow garden.
Michelle Irwin is the author of Sugar-Free Raw Desserts, now available through afbookstore.com, a great way to incorporate items from the food rainbow into your favorite desserts!