How Different Colors of Produce Can Help Fill Your Mouth with Nutrients
Posted on 8/24/2020 by Dr. Michael Wockenfus |
Have you ever heard of the adage – “The more colorful the plate, the lower the weight?” It refers to the need to add different colors of fruits and vegetables to your diet to stay healthy. You can extend this thought to what you eat to maintain your gums and teeth. In fact, the colors of foods can tell us more about nutrition.
What Do Produce Colors Mean for Dental Nutrition?
You can easily integrate healthy eating into your diet when you learn what produce colors represent nutritionally for you. In fact, according to health practitioners at Harvard University, you can improve your dental health and nutrition by referring to food color groups. For instance, the red group includes radishes, red lettuce, and red tomatoes. Tomatoes are packed with vitamins A and C. Orange-yellow foods include sweet potatoes, carrots, and yellow and orange peppers. According to the Harvard website, one medium baked sweet potato provides vitamins A and C, B vitamins, and iron, calcium, and potassium. You can also find plenty of healthy produce under the color green, including Swiss chard, which is loaded with vitamins A and K, and magnesium. The green is also a good source of calcium, potassium, and iron.
Consume all the Colors of the Rainbow for Better Dental Health
Colors in food represent the presence of phytonutrients and phytochemicals, which are regularly produced by plants. When you eat a diet rich in these substances, you significantly reduce your chances of gum infection, dental decay, heart disease, and cancer. The foods also provide fiber, which reduces your cholesterol. To improve your dental health and health overall, focus on eating produce of varying colors each day.
We advocate good nutrition along with a regular routine of home care and professional cleanings and exams. You need to do all these things to keep your smile sparkling and white. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a professional cleaning and exam, give us a call today. Our team of dental professionals can answer any dental concerns and are committed to improving your both your dental health and smile.
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