夏季六大超級健康食物

Blueberries： The Indigo-colored Antioxidant

藍莓：靛藍色的抗氧化劑

These berries—one of the few foods that are naturally blue—have sky-high levels of antioxidants， which can combat the damage done by inflammation. Anthocyanins， the natural plant compounds that give blueberries their deep color， may have antidiabetic effects as well.

藍莓，作為難得的純天然藍色食物之一，含有超多的抗氧化劑，它能抵抗炎癥帶來的危害。天然的植物復合物，花青素，把藍莓染成了深藍色，而這種物質也具有抗糖尿病的效果。

Red Bell Peppers： A Sweet， Crunchy Punch of Vitamin C

紅燈籠椒：甜蜜又爽脆的維C大王

While all peppers are very low in calories （about 25 per cup）， the reds—which taste sweeter and milder—are best for you. They contain 11 times more beta-carotene than green bell peppers， and while the green variety delivers 60 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C， the red gives you 240 percent.

所有的辣椒類蔬菜都含有非常低的卡路里（每杯約25卡），其中紅椒——因其甜甜的溫和口感——最適合你。它們含有比綠燈籠椒多11倍的β-胡蘿卜素。此外，綠燈籠椒能提供你每日所需維C的60%，而紅燈籠椒能給你240%。

Tomatoes： The Summer Heart， Skin and Brain Protector

番茄：夏季里心臟、皮膚和大腦的保護神

Lycopene is highest in very red tomatoes. The antioxidant has a long list of benefits， from protecting skin against the sun’s burning rays， to slowing arterial aging， to fighting heart disease， stroke and memory loss.

番茄紅素在紅透的番茄中含量是最高的。這個抗氧化劑有一長串的益處，從保護皮膚不受陽光中的紫外線危害，到減緩動脈衰老過程，再到預防心臟病、中風和失憶等。

Watermelon： A Pick-me-up with Added Benefits

西瓜：唾手可得又營養豐富

Aside from its ability to refresh us， watermelon also delivers lycopene. And a recent study led by food scientists at Florida State University suggests it can be an effective weapon against pre-hypertension， a precursor to cardiovascular disease.

西瓜不僅能讓我們神清氣爽，還能補充番茄紅素。而最近一項由佛羅里達州立大學的食品科學家進行的研究表明，番茄紅素能有效抵御高血壓前期狀態，而高血壓前期是心血管疾病的前兆。

Beets： Colorful Guards Against Cancer and High Blood Pressure

甜菜：抵御癌癥和高血壓的彩色士兵

Beets contain several disease-fighting phytonutrients， including the pigment betacyanin， which gives them their distinctive hue. Beets are also a good source of folate， which guards against birth defects， colon cancer and osteoporosis， and are high in fiber and beta-carotene.

甜菜含有多種防病的植物營養素，包括β花青苷素，它能使甜菜色彩鮮艷。甜菜也是葉酸的一個好來源，它能預防胎兒畸形、結腸癌和骨質疏松，且含有高纖維及β-胡蘿卜素。Figs： Jammed with Fiber， Calcium... and Jam-like Flavor

無花果：充斥著纖維、鈣……以及果醬般的口感

Used for millennia in ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures， figs are an excellent source of dietary fiber （almost 2 grams each）. They’re also a good source of calcium and potassium.

在古地中海及中東文化里，無花果具有千年的食用歷史。它們是提供膳食纖維的極好來源（每只含有2克）。它們也是鈣和鉀的好來源。