3 RED Foods You Should Be Eating In Celebration of the Ultimate RED Month!

Nutrition Expert Dr. Wendy Bazilian Reveals a NEW Scientific Report Underscoring the Power of Eating Red!

It’s no coincidence that February is the ultimate RED Month – American Heart Month, Valentine’s Day, and National Cherry Month. It’s a month to celebrate eating RED with one of today’s hottest RED super fruits, tart cherries.

In fact, red foods and fruits contain powerful phytonutrients that are not only responsible for their bright red color, but also may help protect your heart. It’s these naturally functional foods with inherent, added benefits that Americans seek for better health.

Nutrition expert and author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet: Lose Weight with the Power of SuperNutrients (Rodale, 2008) Dr. Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, recently revealed The Red Report at www.choosecherries.com, a new look at the power of tart cherries, featuring more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific studies on this fruit.

One of tart cherries’ key claims to fame is their powerhouse of antioxidants. According to top trend forecasters, antioxidants remain a top indicator of health-promoting foods, with nine (93%) out of 10 adults aware of antioxidants, and one-third (31%) are making a strong effort to consume more^(1,2). Tart cherries have among the highest levels of antioxidants of other super foods, ranking 14 in the top 50 for highest antioxidant content per serving size, according to a recent stud^(3-7) And, tart cherries have as many, if not more, antioxidants than many other fruits.^(5,8) 

The Science Behind the Power of Red
Anthocyanins are the key antioxidant compound in tart cherries, responsible for the fruit’s bright red color. In fact, tart cherries contain significantly more anthocyanins than other fruits, including sweet cherries.^(9,10) A growing body of research has linked the anthocyanins in tart cherries to reduced inflammation, at levels comparable to some well-known pain medication.^(9,11) This inflammatory benefit is likely behind cherries’ ability to reduce risk for arthritis and gout, promote cardiovascular health and most recently, to aid muscle recovery and reduce oxidative stress in athletes.

“Beyond their health benefits, tart cherries are shaping today’s key health and nutrition trends, called out in some of the latest reports as ‘the’ Super Fruit to watch,” added Dr. Bazilian. Currently, nine in 10 adults (91%) think it’s very important to get their nutrients from foods that are naturally rich in vitamins and minerals, with vitamin A a key nutrient in demand.⁽¹²⁾  Tart cherries contain 19 times more vitamin A than blueberries or strawberries.

Other Red Foods You Should Be Eating

Tomatoes:
Lycopene is the phytonutrient that gives tomatoes their red coloring. Research shows that women with the highest intake of tomato-based foods have greater protection against heart disease. Tomatoes are also a good source of potassium and vitamin C, which adds to their heart-healthy appeal.

Red Cabbage:
Similar to tart cherries, red cabbage also contains anthocyanins. They’re also a good source of vitamin c, which a recent study suggests may help people with heart failure live longer. And, this powerful vegetable has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels.

To download The Red Report, to learn more about the health benefits of cherries and to find recipes and tips, visit www.choosecherries.com.

Sources: