Better nutrition starts not with cutting out the bad as much as it does with adding in the good. "A trick that many people should use when trying to get everything into their diets is getting every color into it," says David Katz, MD, an associate clinical professor of epidemiology and public health at Yale Medical School. Katz points out that it can be easier focusing on colors to avoid getting lost in the increasingly more complicated food system of today. "If people are eating at least one or two different colors of food per day, chances are their health will improve significantly," says Katz. When eating the flavors of the rainbow, red is first in line and a good color to start with. This is due in large part to an antioxidant called lycopene.

Health Benefits of Lycopene

Lycopene protects the skin from sun damage and decreases the risk of heart disease as well as certain forms of cancer. It also helps the body function better during physical activity. Lycopene-rich foods have been shown to lessen symptoms of asthma, wheezing, and shortness of breath in people who exercise. The antioxidant can be found in most rosy-colored fruits and vegetables, but it's most strongly concentrated in the tomato.

Five Lycopene-Rich Red Foods

Tomatoes

These not only have the highest levels of lycopene, but also contain high concentrations of vitamins A and C. Vitamin K is also present, which helps maintain healthy bones. Believe it or not, canned and cooked tomatoes have been shown to contain higher levels of lycopene than fresh ones, so ketchup, salsa, and marinara sauce are encouraged.

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