[follow the Wikipedia links]
Let's begin with a brief review of Part 1
A Plant's Only Purpose to Regenerate and Propagate the Species
How's that for a proposal?
Given this as a premise, we can focus on how a plant uses its pigments to protect its seeds which store the genetic material for regeneration and propagation.
Why is this of interest to consumers like us?
Here are some simple relationships drawing all this together --
read them from top to bottom :
- to consumers, colors represent freshness and familiar tastes and flavors of favored plant foods
- colors can be used a guide during shopping in the "5 a day" plan for healthier diets
- pigments and colors are also a subjective index for choosing plant foods specifically for antioxidant or ORAC strength because...
- a general rule in science: "pigment-richness" is proportional to intensity of color which is proportional to phenolic-richness which is proportional to ORAC (antioxidant strength)
- therefore, if your 5 a day plan includes achieving optimal antioxidant richness in your foods, choose those with bright colors
- this is why berries are such a convenient food group for gaining antioxidant value
Next!
- Part 4: berry pigments and free radicals -- friends and foes
Reading
* Joseph JA, Nadeau DA, Underwood A. The Color Code, 2002, Hyperion Press, New York.
* Simon PW. Plant Pigments for Color and Nutrition, US Department of Agriculture and University of Wisconsin
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Dr. Paul
The Berry Doctor
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