Eat Those Dark Colored Plants

Some of the healthiest and most antioxidant rich plants you can eat are dark colored fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants in them can help reduce inflammation in your body. Inflammation is thought to be at the root of many health conditions. So if you can minimize inflammation in your body, you may improve your health. Here are some easy ways you can support your health and eat those dark colored plants.

Berries

Aronia berries are one of the berries richest in antioxidants. They are also known as chokecherries and are native to North America. In addition to being rich in antioxidants, they are high in fiber and vitamin C. They can make your mouth feel dry, so you may want to add them to smoothies or other juices. You can also find them frozed, dried, and in powdered form. Norton grapes are used primarily in wine making, but they are very high in antioxidants. Black raspberry and wild blueberries are the next highest in antioxidants, followed by cherries, raspberries, acai, and currents.

Purple Corn

Purple corn is loaded with antioxidants that make it much healthier for you than regular corn. Two of the antioxidants in it are particularly good for eye health. Purple corn has been grown in Peru for thousands of years. It is not eaten like regular corn. It is used in Peru to make a base for drinks, puddings, breads, and tortillas. Outside of Peru, it can be taken as an extract, taken in powder form, or purple corn flour can be used for baking.

Red Cabbage

Like all cabbages, red cabbage is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K. The dark color of it means it contains more antioxidants than green cabbage. It tastes a little more peppery. It is easy to add to soups, stews, stir frys, and coleslaw. It can also be fermented which will give you the added benefits of the probiotics in the resulting sauerkraut.

Beets

Beetroot, or beets, are a nutritional power house. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It's easy to add them to your diet because of the many ways they can be consumed. They can be roasted, juiced, boiled, made into hummus, added to salads, etc. You can also consume beets as an extract or as a fermented juice known as kvass. Beets have been studied for their ability to support healthy blood pressure and athletic performance.

Red Beans and Black Lentils

Lentils are one of richest sources of plant protein and are loaded with nutrition. They are related to peas and beans, and are high in fiber. Black lentils are the most nutritous type of lentil. They are similar to other purple and blue plant foods in that they contain lots of antioxidants. Beans have been consumed by many cultures for centuries. One study looked at the amount of antioxidants in different types of beans and found that red beans and red kidney beans have the most antioxidants followed by pinto and black beans. In addition, beans are high in B vitamins and fiber.

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