Nature is colorful, we can see colorful flowers, birds, animals and even trees and leaves. How many times were you attracted to that bright coloured apple or those red coloured strawberries or cherries?

The urge to eat a particular food depends on our sense organs. Any wonderful aroma stimulates our gastric juices and propels us towards that food.

Similarly, any bright coloured fruits or vegetables tempts us to take a bite. Nature has created these attractive colors in each and every element.

In food, these colors not only are tempting to eat, but they are also filled with abundant nutrients.

Source: Research Gate

Our nature is filled with such colorful produce. And the colors keep changing depending on the seasons. For example oranges in winter, mangoes in summer and so on.

Let us explore the summer specific colorful fruits and vegetables along with their nutritional benefits.

• Melons

This includes water melon and musk melon. They are filled with water content and are extra sweet especially during summer season. While watermelon is red in color, musk melon has a nice peach color.

The red color is due to the pigment called lycopene. Lycopene is known to prevent cancer of prostate, stomach and pancreas. Lycopene is an antioxidant and also protective against UV rays.

• Mangoes & jackfruit

Mangoes & Jackfruit are rich in carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin which impart yellow-orange color to the fruits. These carotenoids are protective to the eyes because they absorb the harmful blue light that damages the eye. Carotenoids are good antioxidants and maintain the immunity of our body. It fights against the seasonal flu which is common during summer.

• Black grapes & Jamuns or Indian blackberry

The flowering for Jamun fruit starts during February-March and the fruits are available in late summer to early monsoon. While grapes are a summer fruit available from February to June. Jamuns are well known for their glucose lowering properties.

The bright purple color of Jamuns & grapes is due to the presence of pigments called anthocyanins. 

Anthocyanins have anticancer, antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties. It is also heart protective in nature.

• Cucumber

It is the most sought after vegetable in summer due to its cooling properties and a high water content. The primary pigment present in them is chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is good for the skin, helps to prevent breakouts and keeps the skin moist and hydrated.

It is also a good antioxidant and fights against oxidative stress. 

• Onion

Summer sees a variety of onions in the market. Some are pink while some are white. Flavonols are the predominant pigment in onions. Around 25 different flavonoids have been derived from the onion bulbs of different colors.

Flavonoids are cardio and neuro protective in nature besides being an excellent antioxidant. They reduce oxidation, prevent gene mutation, reduce inflammation and participate in various enzymatic reactions in our body.

With nature providing so many colorful produce every season, our body can get sufficient micronutrients as well as macronutrients to keep us healthy and free from chronic metabolic diseases. Let your meals be colorful to reap the maximum benefit of these pigments.