A Dark Secret

Black and deep-purple foods are brimming with health benefits.  That's because anthocyanins, a plant compound responsible for the foods' color, are powerful antioxidants that may protect cells from damage and diseases like cancer and heart disease.

BLACKBERRIES

BONUS BENEFIT: Cup for cup, the juicy fruit contains more fiber than strawberries.  you’ll get a helping of polyphenols, an antioxidant that helps lower inflammation. Because they’re low in calories, blackberries are the perfect diet addition, and they might even boost your brain health.  Serve them on top of oatmeal, rice cereal, or layered in a yogurt parfait for breakfast or dessert.

BLACK RICE

BONUS BENEFIT: It's a good source of vitamin E, which some of us don't get enough of.  The next time you sit down to a stir-fry, add black rice, a little-known healthy food, instead of brown or white. Why? Adding black rice to your diet may help with allergies (skin allergies especially) and inflammation. Serve it with white beans to create an amusing "mixed-up" dinner of rice and beans.

BLACK PLUMS

BONUS BENEFIT: Each plum has just 30 calories and high content of Vitamin C, which means that they help protect the body against health conditions like asthma, colon cancer, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  They are rich in dietary fiber, which in turn proves effective in improving the digestive system.  Plums also reduces your chances of contracting a heart disease in the long run.  Plums have certain cleansing agents that keep the blood pure and prevent complications of the heart.  Serve them whole or sliced into a fruit salad, or chop dried plums into small pieces and mix with nuts to create a tasty trail mix.

BLACK SOYBEANS

BONUS BENEFIT: A half-cup serving packs more than half of the iron that you need every day.  They can give you an unexpected health boost.  Soybeans offer isoflavones, saponins, phytosterols, and other active ingredients that help fight cancer. Studies have also found that having this healthy food in your diet is good for your heart.  Black soybean extract helped improve blood circulation and lowered the risk for cardiovascular problems.  Serve them swapped for chickpeas in a batch of homemade hummus.  You can also add them to salads, chili, soups, tacos, or burritos.