Antioxidants and Their Colors

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, antioxidants play a role in the fight against cell damage and cancer development. Consuming them is highly recommended for men with prostate cancer. Different types of antioxidants can be grouped by color. For example, antioxidants in red tomatoes are identical to those in red watermelons or pink grapefruits. Antioxidants fall under six main color categories.

1) Tomatoes, pink grapefruits and watermelons contain the red antioxidant, lycopene.

2) Grapes, plums, assorted berries and pomegranates contain the red-purple antioxidant, anthocyanin.

3) Carrots, mangoes, apricots, cantaloupes, pumpkins and sweet potatoes contain the orange antioxidants alpha and beta carotenes.

4) Oranges, peaches, papaya and nectarines contain the orange-yellow antioxidant beta-cryptoxanthin.

5) Spinach, collard, yellow corn, green peas and avocados contain the yellow-green antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin.

6) Broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale and bok choy contain the green antioxidants sulforaphane, isothiocyanates and indoles.

7) Garlic, onions, asparagus, leeks, shallots and chives contain the white-green antioxidants allyl sulfides.

 

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