Yellow and Orange Fruits and Vegetables — Health Benefits

Click on a color to learn more
about the health benefits associated
with each color grouping

Many orange and deep yellow fruits and vegetables such as pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, mangoes and apricots get their color from the antioxidant beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A has many essential functions, including the repair of body tissues, formation of bones and teeth, resistance to infection and development of healthy eyes. Beta-carotene rich foods have also been linked to a lower risk of cancer and heart disease.

Also in the Yellow-Orange family are citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits and tangerines, which contain the potent antioxidant vitamin C as well as folate, a B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of birth defects. The flavonoids in citrus fruits work together with vitamin C to help reduce the risk of cancer, strengthen bones and teeth, help heal wounds, keep skin healthy and lower the risk of heart attack.

Include a variety of yellow/orange fruits and veggies in your diet to help maintain:

Yellow/orange fruits and vegetables include:

• ►Carrots
• ►Sweet potatoes
• ►Pumpkin
• ►Winter squash
• ►Mangoes
• ►Apricots
• ►Oranges
• ►Grapefruit
• ►Tangerines
• ►Peaches
• ►Cantaloupe
• ►Yellow peppers
• ►Corn
• ►Pineapple