Red fruits and vegetables are colored by natural plant pigments called “lycopene” or “antho-
cyanins.” Lycopene in tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit, for example, may help reduce risk
of several types of cancer, especially prostate cancer. Lycopene in foods containing cooked tomatoes,
such as spaghetti sauce, and a small amount of fat are absorbed better than lycopene from raw tomatoes. Anthocyanins in strawberries, raspberries, red grapes and other fruits and vegetables act as powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage. Antioxi-dants are linked with keeping our hearts healthy, too. These are some examples of the red group: Red apples • Red peppers, Beets • Pomegranates, Red cabbage • Red potatoes, Cherries • Radishes, Cranberries • Raspberries, Pink grapefruit • Rhubarb, Red grapes • Strawberries, Tomatoes, Watermelon
