Sweet and Hot Peppers
Capsaicin, the substance that gives hot peppers their punch, may boost your metabolism and heart health. And green, red and yellow bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C—even more than oranges. Peppers are also packed with antioxidants and fiber. Add peppers to your dinner, and you may lower your cholesterol naturally.
Spinach
Turns out Popeye was on to something. Calorie for calorie, spinach contains more nutrition than almost any other leafy greens. This vegetable is rich in vitamins A, C and K, plus folate, riboflavin and thiamine. It is also chock-full of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc—not to mention antioxidants like beta-carotene and lutein. Spinach may help lower your blood pressure, as well as reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease. Here are more super foods that will help you feel healthier.
Brussels Sprouts
These little guys have suffered a bad rap for too long. Brussels sprouts are off the charts when it comes to vitamins C and K, not to mention a good source of folate, vitamin A and manganese. Plus, cruciferous veggies may help prevent cancer. So we think you should learn to love them!
Broccoli
Broccoli is bursting with vitamin C and vitamin K, which contributes to bone health and blood clotting. Folate, phosphorus, potassium and fiber, plus antioxidants lutein and beta-carotene are added bonuses. And did you know broccoli has properties that kill bacteria known to cause ulcers and some stomach cancers? It may even help protect and repair your skin from sun damage. More broccoli, please! Psst: Even your kids will like these tasty broccoli recipes.
Tomatoes
So healthy and delicious! What’s not to love? Packed with vitamins A and C, tomatoes are lycopene powerhouses that may help prevent strokes and protect against some cancers. To top it off, a cup of raw tomatoes is a good source of fiber. And they’re easy to add to almost any dish. Learn how to store your tomatoes and keep them fresh.
Winter Squash
Want to keep your family’s colds and flu at bay this year? Give them dose of winter squash. It’s packed with beta-carotene, which helps build a strong immune system. And there’s more—winter squash provides calcium, potassium, magnesium and fiber, too. Find out which vegetables are in season right now.
Sweet Potatoes
These delicious veggies are stuffed with vitamin A and powerful antioxidants like beta-carotene, which may help decrease age-related memory loss. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of vitamin C and vitamin B6, not to mention lots of other healthy stuff, like copper, fiber, manganese, potassium and iron. So make sure you dig some up at your local market! But first, make sure you know the difference between sweet potatoes and yams.
Carrots
Everyone knows carrots promote good eyesight. But how? Well, vitamin A boosts night vision. And some evidence suggests vitamin C helps prevent cataracts. Carotenoids found in carrots may decrease the risk of age-related retinal degeneration, a common cause of vision loss. Check out more health and beauty benefits of carrots.
Asparagus
This green veggie contains plenty of vitamins A, C, E and K, plus minerals like iron, copper, potassium and manganese. And asparagus is a good source of folate, which is important during pregnancy and may reduce the risk of depression. It is one of many foods that are way more nutritious than you realized.
Cauliflower
Closely related to broccoli, cauliflower is a good source of antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C. And like other cruciferous vegetables, cauliflower may help fight cancer. Here’s an interesting fact: The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry says cauliflower can help clean your teeth, by boosting saliva and removing bacteria. Plus, it’s low-carb, too!
The post The Healthiest Vegetables You Can Buy at the Farmers Market appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lori Vanover