Fruits and vegetables are abundant in the summer. With the huge quantity of delicious choices of fruits and veggies, it’s a great time to indulge. Recommendations are for five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. But do you know that the colors of the produce indicate their health benefits?

Fruit Nutrients

Fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals which are plant chemicals with protective or disease preventative properties. The plants use these for their own protection and furthermore these plant chemicals can benefit humans. There are over 1000 known phytochemicals. Among them are flavanoids found in fruits and vegetables, carotenoids found in fruit and carrots, and polyphenols in grapes. Most are antioxidants which indicate they protect cells form oxidative damage and cancer. Some are hormonal such as soy, which reduces menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis due to its interference with estrogen production. Garlic has anti bacterial properties,