your food

Orange’s Powerful Punch:

Carotenoids

BEST OF THE BUNCH: Pumpkin

Who knew that sweet potatoes and carrots were a perfect complement to a sunny, summer day? Beta-carotene, one of the carotenoids that give plants their orange-yellow color, collects in the skin and may help protect against UV damage. (Note: You still need sunscreen.) The body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A, which is essential for a killer immune system and good vision. Studies suggest that a carotenoid-rich diet is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and lung cancer.

OTHER TOP CROPS: Carrots, winter

squash, sweet potatoes

HOW TO EAT: Some phytochemicals

(compounds in plants that are good for us) are fat-soluble. That means your body needs fat to break them down. Carotenoids are in that group. So they are best absorbed with oil, and also when chopped or pureed. But don’t go guzzling gallons of carrot juice. It’s true that if you drink enough, your skin will turn yellow.

SUMMER 2010 | HEALTHY ADVICE 47 Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60