Summer is here, and so are fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables!
Why shop for healthy local foods this summer? A 2012 study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older people who eat more fruits and vegetables live longer than those who eat less produce. It also found that those who exercise regularly live longer than those who don’t exercise. But older adults who both eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise regularly live significantly longer than those who do only one of these two things. The researchers measured the levels of substances called carotenoids in the blood of females in the study. Carotenoids are colorful substances in produce (such as the orange color in carrots) that can help prevent certain types of cancer and heart disease and help fight infections. The more fruits and vegetables you eat, the higher the levels of carotenoids in blood. It’s another good reason to eat more fruits and vegetables every day.
June in New Hampshire offers plenty of chances to eat fresh, local vegetables. The month brings warm sunny days and marks the start of the growing season. Did you know there are more than 80 farm stands and more than 60 farmers markets in New Hampshire? That offers lots of opportunities to shop for fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables. To find a farm stand or farmers' market near you, go to https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/agricultural-development.htm.
In June, the “peak of the harvest” yields a variety of fruits and vegetables. Fruits like rhubarb and strawberries and vegetables like asparagus, beet greens, broccoli, lettuce, salad greens, spinach, swiss chard, turnips and rutabagas are ready for picking and enjoying. July brings tasty, sweet fruits such as blueberries, peaches, and raspberries. Healthy and colorful vegetables like carrots and cauliflower and peppers also are ready in July.
It’s never too late to start exercising regularly or eating a healthier diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in unhealthy fats. Check with your healthcare provider before making major changes in your diet or starting or making significant changes in an exercise routine.
