Blog Posts | Food & Mood: How Eating the (Spring) Rainbow Can Impact Your Brain
Food & Mood: How Eating the (Spring) Rainbow Can Impact Your Brain
April is that weird time between winter and spring. We’re no longer craving rich, cozy flavours, but fresh local produce isn’t available yet. Luckily, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetables are in season all year round, making them the perfect produce to enjoy this time of year.
Why Greenhouse Vegetables Are The Perfect Spring Produce
Ontario greenhouse vegetables are the real stars of spring for a number of reasons. Firstly, thanks to state-of-the-art-technology and a protected environment, greenhouse produce can be grown in all weather conditions and temperatures. This means ripe greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are available through the depths of winter and into spring, while we patiently wait for farmer’s markets to open and the abundance of summer produce. Additionally, greenhouse growing is incredibly efficient, and the environment is closely controlled and monitored, allowing for higher yields, uniform crops, and consistent quality. This means that the greenhouse produce we find in the grocery store this time of year looks and feels like it was grown during the peak of summer.
How Nutrients Impact Our Mental Well-Being
Not only are greenhouse vegetables perfect for bridging the gap between winter and spring produce, they can also boost our mood during dreary April. There is nothing better than biting into a bright, crunchy bell pepper, or crisp cucumber to remind us that spring and summer are on the horizon, and to move us into lighter, fresher ingredients. But greenhouse produce has more than just a psychological impact on our mood. They contain nutrients that benefit our mental well being.
Our brain is vulnerable to oxidative damage due to being ‘on’ 24/7. Antioxidants counteract oxidative damage by neutralizing free-radicals, preventing them from causing harm to the brain. This may protect our cognitive health and function. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and is found in tomatoes and bell peppers, especially red bell peppers, which have more vitamin C than oranges. Tomatoes also contain flavanols, which are a type of phytochemical – compounds derived from plants that have antioxidant properties and other health benefits. Phytochemicals may play a role in protecting and preserving brain function and structure.
Greenhouse vegetables also provide fibre and micronutrients to support our health:
- Greenhouse cucumbers contain potassium and magnesium, and are 90% water, making them hydrating, good for skin health, and weight maintenance. They are seedless and therefore easier to digest.
- Greenhouse tomatoes contain lycopene, another powerful antioxidant, as well as vitamin A, B6, folate, magnesium and potassium.
- Greenhouse peppers contain vitamin A, B6, folate, magnesium and potassium.
Here are some recipes to try this month to enjoy more greenhouse vegetables:
Greenhouse vegetables are the unsung hero of spring. Their year round availability and consistent quality, allows us to enjoy ripe, fresh produce in the interim between winter and peak growing season. Not only do they give us a taste of the fresher, brighter flavour profile we crave as we move out of winter, but they also provide our body with mood and brain boosting nutrients. Look for Ontario Greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers at your local grocery store this month, and all year.
