What Is So Special About Red Vegetables? Learn About Their Health Benefits

Like the green leafy vegetables, red vegetables too are an important source of essential nutrients. Know about a few of these best red vegetables and their benefits here on Boldsky.

By Super Admin

Thursday, May 11, 2017, 12:28

Whenever you go through a diet chart you see the word green leafy vegetables appear again and again in it.

You may even see some rare yellow fruits and vegetables but very rarely will you get to see red vegetables being given enough importance (at least what is due to them) as far as vegetable nutrition is concerned.

While all experts agree that all types of vegetables are important for your all round good health, this special group of red vegetables has some astonishing properties that are not much talked about.

Here are some of the things that you did not know about red vegetables till now. Meanwhile, if you want to know the benefits of green vegetables then click here.

What Do Red Vegetables Do For You?

The red colour in the vegetables is actually the colour of lycopene which is a modified type of carotene (the nutrient that makes carrots orange).

It has the amazing quality of fighting cancer of the reproductive organs. It most notably helps fight cervical cancer and cancer of the ovaries.

The best part about this type of vegetable is that they are surprisingly low in calories. An average red vegetable will have from 10 to 50 calories in it, while it gives you ample roughage.

The Best Red Vegetables & Their Benefits:

1. Beetroot

Beetroot is one of the best red vegetables. Rich in antioxidant, fibre, iron, vitamin C and folate, beetroot helps to improve the blood count and thus prevents anaemia and even low blood pressure.

While a majority of women in the Asian countries have some or the other form of anaemia we still continue to ignore some really iron-rich vegetables like beetroot.

Beets have carotenes and also a high concentration of some vital nutrients like manganese. Also, the best part is it is low in calories.

Having beetroot a few times a week in roasted form, as a curry or in the form of salads and juice helps.

2. Red Cabbage

Like other cruciferous vegetables, red cabbage that appears more like purple contains fibre, vitamins and essential nutrients. It is also known for its rich antioxidant properties. In order to get its maximum nutrients, it is best to consume red cabbage raw in the form of salad.

3. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are yet another commonly found red vegetable. It is one of the important sources of lycopene, vitamin C and potassium.
You can toss it in your salads with a little virgin olive oil because it is a fat soluble nutrient; the oil will help the nutrient get absorbed in your body. You can also have them in cooked form or pureed.

4. Radish

Radish might be a bit spicy when eaten in raw form. But when you get to know about its health benefits you will make it a point to have them regularly. Radish is rich in vitamin C, folate and essential minerals including potassium. Known for its antioxidant properties radish can be consumed if you are looking at having a healthy gut.

5. Red Bell Pepper

Red and yellow bell peppers have been officially declared as super foods as they are rich in anti oxidants and known for their cancer-fighting properties.

They are also a rich source of vitamin C and the RDA component of vitamin A. You can find some important phyto chemicals like beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin that help fight cancer, specially lung cancer.

So if you are a smoker who insists on poisoning his body with poison every day then make sure you do a little janitor's job for your body with these super nutritious vegetables.

6. Red Onions

Rich in fibre content, the organosulfurs and the phytochemical compounds found in red onions help to boost the immune system and reduce the formation of bad cholesterol. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, red onions are also rich in allyl sulfides, a compound that helps to fight cancer and heart problem.