The Colors of Nature

When we think about autumn, we think about the way the leave turn color and fall slowly to the ground, and then we can take walks in the woods and hear the crunch, crunch of the leaves as we step on them. Those leaves are showing the true colors of the carotenoids and flavonoids such as anthocyanidins. Anthocyanidins are responsible for the reddish and magenta colors we can see in autumn leaves, and the reddish colors in vegetables (beets)and berries (cranberries, blueberries, blackberries). Anthocyanidins are being hailed as incredible antioxidants, and since they are found in many types of yummy foods, can be added to the diet very easily. With Thanksgiving coming up, don't forget to add some homemade cranberry sauce to your plate!