Radishes, cabbages, beets, oh my!
Last week we talked about the power of purple fruits and the super antioxidant called anthocyanin they contain, which gives fruit and vegetables their deep red, purple or blue color. Let’s continue with super purple category – vegetables!
Purple Cabbage (sometimes called red cabbage)
Purple or red cabbage is the top 10 vitamin C foods on the planet. It’s a super immune system booster, stimulating the activity of white blood cells, forming a first-line defense against free radical production. It’s full of anthocyanin and helps with inflammation in our tissues. Purple cabbage has ten times more vitamin A and twice as much iron as green cabbage and is packed with vitamin K. Be careful if you are on blood thinners.
The natural antioxidants found in purple/red cabbage can help combat chronic disease by preserving damage to nerve cells helping neurodegenerative or chronic disorders such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Additionally, purple cabbage promotes a healthy gut. We know that probiotic foods provide good bacteria which our digestive systems crave. Kimchi made by lacto-fermentation (the same process that creates sauerkraut and traditional dill pickles) is a great way to get these probiotics. Usually, kimchi is made from green cabbage, try it with purple cabbage and purple radishes for an extra probiotic boost, which is better than dairy-rich yogurt for people with Parkinson’s. Besides fighting cancer and lowering cholesterol levels, Kimchi helps promote bowel regularity, brain health, immunity, and healthy skin.
Purple Daikon Radish
A member of the mustard family, ‘daikon’ is Japanese for “great root”. Daikon radish is a cool weather root vegetable and the entire plant is edible. Purple daikon radish is an excellent source of fiber and vitamin C, particularly when eaten raw. They also contain flavonoids and the antioxidant sulforaphane, vitamin B6, folate, and minerals such as K, Ca, Mg, and iodine. The leafy greens offer more vitamin C than the root.
Beets
Beets are truly a superfood in and of themselves. They are packed with benefits:
- Cancer-protective Antioxidants – Beets are naturally high in disease-fighting phytonutrients called betalains, antioxidants, vitamins, and trace minerals and function as cancer-protective antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agent. Beets are a source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect eyes from developing conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. The highest supply of these free radical damage-fighting antioxidants is actually found in the greens of the beets.
- Anti-inflammatory Properties – The anti-inflammatory compounds found in beets have been shown to inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase enzymes, which the body uses to trigger inflammation. Reduced levels of inflammation help nearly every system within the body and fight off diseases including heart disease, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases too.
- Promotes Heart Health – Beets contain betaine and choline, powerful fighters against inflammation in the cardiovascular system. They help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Choline can turn off homocysteines, inflammatory reactors increasing the risk of atherosclerosis or the clogging of arteries
- Detoxes the Blood – Beets are known to be natural “blood cleansers.” They help to detox and cleanse your blood of toxins, heavy metals, and waste due to compounds called glutathiones, which are essential for detoxification in the liver and other digestive organs. The high fiber in beets helps restore healthy and regular bowel movements.
- Helps Maintain a Healthy Sex Drive – Due to high levels of nitrates and boron, beets help the body regulate the production of human sex hormones and increase blood flow to the reproductive organs.
- Contains Anti-Aging Properties – Beets are a great way to help balance pH levels and to alkalize the body as well. Most diseases live in an acidic environment, the goal is to be slightly alkaline.
- Boosts Energy and Stamina – Beets naturally contain nitrates, you may have heard products like deli meats, bacon, or packaged meats have harmful nitrates, but the type of nitrates found in beets are actually very beneficial for boosting energy and performance.
Purple Sweet Potatoes
Purple potatoes are high-antioxidant foods because the skin and flesh are both purple. Purple potatoes offer amazing benefits. They help to ward off blood clots and regulate blood pressure and are loaded with antioxidants and disease-fighting phytonutrients that reduce inflammation.
There are so many more purple foods out there. I avoided including eggplant because it is a nightshade, which can increase inflammation and should be avoided by people with auto-immune diseases and leaky gut. Also, be aware if you are taking blood thinners that some of the purple foods may affect your clotting; be sure to talk to your doctor. Lastly, don’t be alarmed if you poop purple or in the case of beets pee red.