Yacon, also called the Peruvian ground apple, is a species of daisy native to the Andes mountain range of South America. With its bright yellow flowers and ability to grow to over two meters in height, yacon is certainly a striking plant, and bears more than a passing resemblance to the sunflower to which it is closely related. Unlike the sunflower, however, the yacon grows large, tuberous roots that can be eaten raw like a…
Sweet potatoes are the tuberous roots of the sweet potato vine, which thrives in the warmest regions of the world. They are characterized by the vivid colors of their flesh, which range from deep orange to light purple, and tend to be longer and thinner than regular white potatoes (to which they’re distantly related). Moreover, sweet potatoes are not the same as yams, despite their close physical resemblances. Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest…
The carrot is a biennial plant that is native to Europe and southwestern Asia, but has been cultivated worldwide for over 2,000 years. It bears a crunchy taproot that is usually orange in color but can also be purple, red, white, or yellow. These taproots are commonly incorporated into salads, cooked meals, and even beverages. Carrots have long been associated with good health, and their deep, vivid hues are a testament to their impressive concentrations…
It’s a well-known fact that the more colorful a vegetable is, the more healthy it’s likely to be. After all, color indicates the presence of carotenoids, which are the antioxidants that give most vegetables their greatest benefits. Consequently, many of us assume that bland-looking vegetables, such as regular white cauliflower, are lacking in the health department. Sadly, it is true that cauliflower lacks certain nutrients, such as chlorophyll, that are present in most other vegetables…
Spinach, in all its varieties, is one of the most nutritious “regular” foods in existence. One only needs to look at its bright, vibrant leaves to understand that this annual flowering plant, which is native to central and southwestern Asia, is brimming with all the essential nutrients that our bodies need for maintenance and growth. This article takes a closer look at the health benefits of spinach. Most of these benefits relate to cooked spinach,…
