X is for

Xanthophylls (pronounced zan-tho-fills).  What the heck are Xanthophylls?  Yeah, I know, you really didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway because I need an X post for the ABC Along they could be important to your eyesight.  Xanthophylls are yellow pigments found in plants, and like the green pigments chlorophyll, they are involved in the photosynthesis process.  Chlorophylls tend to mask the presence of Xanthophylls, so the yellow pigment in leaves only shows up when the chlorophylls are leaving, which means you need to look for dietary Xanthophylls in green leafy vegetables like spinach.  The Xanthophyll  of particular dietary importance is lutein.  I add Xanthophylls to my diet when I think about it as much as I can because they have powerful antioxidant actions which may help protect against macular degeneration.  The scientific community isn't really sure about that yet.  But I am at high risk for macular degeneration.  Green leafy vegetables are known to be good for you absent E. coli circumstances.  Since those same scientists don't have any other really attractive options to prevent macular degeneration, eating my spinach makes sense.  My favorite xanthophyll laden recipe is organic baby spinach salad, with whatever other leafy greens attract my attention in the grocery store, diced  red and yellow peppers, and carrots dressed with a touch of creamy ranch. 

Comments

[Christine]

So I thought you were supposed to eat oodles of carrots for eyesight.

My favorite spinach salad is a warm one. I throw some olive oil into a skillet and then toss in lots of garlic and red kidney beans. I cook them for a minute or two and then cover all of that with spinach and heat the whole thing until the spinach wilts. Yummy and quick!

[Cathy]

LOL - your X is pure genius. I expect you to post the hilarious Y. Right? Right? Right?

[Laurie]

That's a yummy X!

[Anne]

It works for me. Spinach also has vitamin K which may help boost the immune system AND help with red blood cell formation. How can you go wrong?