As you are probably aware, eating vegetables and fruits in large quantities on a daily basis is important for our health in general. Opting for locally grown seasonal produce is a good way to support the local economy. In addition, it’s good for the environment. Obviously, this type of food is good for the health of senior citizens too. Now let’s highlight the best healthy seasonal fruits and veggies for seniors.
First and foremost, buy dark green leafy vegetables, Turnip greens, mustard, collard, kale, and chard are some good examples of veggies like this. They are packed with antioxidants, compounds that prevent or at least slow down macular degeneration which is the number one reason for blindness in older people.
Next, broccoli brings a myriad of health benefits thanks to the presence of phytochemicals and fiber. The fiber is here to keep seniors safe from constipation while the phytochemicals are preventing different kinds of cancer. In addition, broccoli brings great anti-aging effects.
If you are looking for useful fruits for seniors, don’t forget apples. They are rich in flavonoids, compounds that lower the chances of developing cancer. Additionally, they have pectin which stabilizes cholesterol levels and prevents diabetes and quercetin, an excellent compound that keeps the heart safe from heart disease. A few scientific studies have shown that quercetin can also provide protection of brain cells against damage.
While we are talking about fruits, we should also mention cranberries and grapes. Cranberries are here to protect the elderly from urinary tract infections that are common in people over 60. If you use fresh cranberries you can speed up the recovery process after gum disease. On the other hand, grapes bring a wide range of health advantages. They act in the same way as red wine but don’t come with any side effects. So, they are rich in anthocyanins. They are great for the blood circulation and heart health. Grapes are loaded with resveratrol which has cancer-preventive properties.
If you want to improve the diet of the elderly, add pumpkins in the menu too. They are packed with beta carotene and alpha carotene which are great for the vision. The pumpkin seeds are useful too. Namely, they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help people combat heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels.
These are just some of the seasonal fruits and vegetables that are good for the elderly and the best part is that they can be found in the market easily.
No comments