The gorgeous colours in fruit and vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, collard greens, and tomatoes come from carotenoids 类胡萝卜素, but these natural pigments aren’t just window dressing. Some may also fight our most prevalent conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, which reportedly affects about ten to 40% of Asians, and ups their chances of type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease.
A new study from the University of Queensland has found that people with diets high in carotenoids are less likely to develop metabolic syndrome. And the good news doesn’t stop there. A study of 6177 Canadians found that those with diets rich in the carotenoids betacarotene, lutein and zeaxanthin were up to 26% less likely to develop the most common form of kidney cancer. Other new research has found that women with high levels of these plant chemicals had a lower risk of ovarian cancer, men were less likely to get lung cancer, and both sexes boasted better bone mineral density.
Smashing Pumpkins
Pumpkin seeds are particularly high in disease-fighting plant compounds called phytosterols. For healthy savory snack, remove the seeds from the pumpkin, rinse to separate them from the stringy pulp, pat dry, toss with olive oil and salt, and bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes until slightly puffed and golden.
from http://www.rdasia.com.my/colours-for-health
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