Harvest season in Wisconsin is right around the corner and HSHS St. Vincent, St. Mary’s, St. Nicholas, and St. Clare Memorial Hospitals want you to reap the health benefits of locally-produced fruits and vegetables.
Wisconsin’s summer and fall produce like corn, zucchini, apples, and cranberries can help your health from head to toe.
For example, Cranberries, blueberries, and other deeply colored berries contain antioxidants that have been shown to improve memory and act as an anti-inflammatory, while leafy greens like spinach and broccoli add important nutrients to grow healthy hair, fingernails, and toenails.
Here are some of the health benefits in harvesting and consuming these delicious fruits and vegetables:
- Apples provide necessary soluble fiber which helps lower your cholesterol level, your risk of diabetes, and your risk of developing asthma. Tip: leave the skin on because it contains half the fiber of the apple.
- Beets have been linked to significant improvement in blood flow and lower blood pressure if eaten consistently.
- Corn contains high levels of fiber which aids in digestion. It also provides valuable B vitamins such as folate, which is important during pregnancy.
- Garlic is known to boost the immune system to reduce symptoms and duration of the common cold. It also contains antioxidants that may help prevent dementia.
- Pumpkins are rich in antioxidants that may reduce your risk of chronic diseases by destroying harmful bacteria. These antioxidants can also protect skin against sun damage and lower the risk of cancer and eye disease.
- Yellow Squash is low in calories and contains no cholesterol, fat or sodium. Tip: do not peel the skin – that’s where most of the nutrients are stored.
- Zucchini helps keep thyroid hormone levels stable and, thanks to its vitamin C, can strengthen vision. It can be grilled, roasted, braised, pickled, baked or eaten raw.
For details about the health benefits of additional foods, meal planning tips, and active lifestyle recommendations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.