Over some delicious homegrown beetroot from my mum's garden I was asked what made them purple. Now whilst you might not be that interested in why vegetables are the colours they are it is worth paying attention to the colours of the fruit and veg you're eating from a health perspective.
The pigments that give fruit and veg their rich and vibrant colours also contain phytonutrients which are highly beneficial for health. The different colours reflect the different phytonutrients which also have different health benefits.
The pigment that gives beetroot its beautiful colour (and creates terrible stains for messy eaters!) is a betacyanin antioxidant which has potent anti-cancer properties. Beetroot juice has also been found to improve cardiovascular endurance and exercise recovery and is really rather drinkable when mixed with carrot and apple juice. Other red and blue fruit and veg, such as berries, tomatoes, peppers and grapes, are also rich in anti-aging antioxidants so it's worth eating something red or blue each day to keep you looking youthful.
As for beetroot try and eat them freshly cooked (and ideally home grown) rather than served the english way - drowned in vinegar!
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