The “Leprechaun Secret” to Longevity

I don’t need to tell you that fruit and vegetables are good for you.

Our mothers and grandmothers have been grilling that fact into our heads since we were kids at the dinner table (hiding broccoli in our napkins).

They enticed us with tales of how eating carrots could help us see like a hawk, or how that spinach could give us big, strong muscles.

And do you know what?

Modern science shows that our moms were exactly right.

And it’s all thanks to this leprechaun secret.

Fruit and vegetables contain compounds that can benefit every single function in your body. These compounds are what give them their various colors.

In order to get the most benefit, you have to consume a variety of these compounds on a regular basis. And you can be sure you’re doing that by keeping this one thing in mind: Follow the rainbow – just like a leprechaun.

Let’s break it down.

Red.

Red produce like tomatoes, watermelon, and red peppers are packed with plant chemicals like citrulline, beta-carotene, ellagic acid, and lycopene. Red vegetables have been shown to fight diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. They can slow the progression of eye conditions like age-related macular degeneration, and reduce your risk of stroke. And strawberries in particular can prevent and REVERSE esophageal cancer.

Orange/Yellow.

I’m lumping these together because plant chemicals called carotenoids are responsible for both the orange and yellow color in produce like carrots, peppers, squash, and oranges. Carotenoids like beta-carotene convert to vitamin A in the body, which is known to promote healthy vision and cell growth.

Eating foods high in carotenoids can reduce your risk of ALS and heart disease, and improve your immune function and eye health.

Green.

The pigment that makes plants green is chlorophyll, and it is loaded with antioxidants. Greens are also rich in lutein, isothiocyanates, isoflavones, and vitamin K. Studies have shown that eating your greens boosts your immune system, detoxifies the body, and restores your energy levels. Vitamin K is important for blood and bone health. And cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale can boost your immune system and improve your mood.

Blue and Purple.

Blue and purple produce, like blueberries, eggplant, and plums, are loaded with anthocyanins and resveratrol, nutrients that have been studied for their anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. The phytochemicals in berries can repair damage from oxidative stress and inflammation. They also reduce your risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s, and to boost memory.

White.

It might not technically be a color of the rainbow, but it deserves an honorable mention here. White plants like bananas, garlic, and onions get their color from phytochemicals called anthoxanthins, but they often also contain allicin and quercetin. These various veggies help you maintain strong bones, balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and protect against certain cancers.

There’s no such thing as a leprechaun with a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. But when you consider the rainbow of vegetables, there IS a pot of gold at the end: It’s your health.

There’s nothing more valuable than that.