By Sean Norman

During the summer months many people are enjoying cookouts with friends and family. Here are a few healthy choices to try over the summer months:

One healthy food to consume over the summer is watermelon. Staying hydrated keeps you sharp and mood stable. Also helps beat the summer heat. Because watermelon is made up of 92 percent water it can be a great thirst quencher.

Another food to try is corn. Corn has antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin that can help fight of the suns dangerous rays. The same antioxidants are also good for fighting off degenerative maculation or blindness in older populations.

Giving tomatoes a try is another food option. Tomatoes contain lycopene which is a carotenoid that can help protect skins from sun burns.

A small but powerful fruit to try is blueberries. The contain antioxidants that help ward off muscle fatigue by helping eliminate additional free radicals that are produced during exercise. They also help boost immunity and help maintain brain health.

Raspberries are another good summer fruit choice. They have a great source of fiber in the form of pectin which helps lower cholesterol.

There are also a couple good summer beverages to try such as tart cherry juice. Consuming cherry juice can help you get a good night’s sleep and reduce post workout pain. Another beverage to enjoy is iced tea. Drinking iced tea can lower risk of Alzheimer’s and diabetes. Iced tea can also give you healthier gums and teeth, stronger bones due to a powerful antioxidant called flavonoids.

Hope you try some of these healthy and nutritious foods over the summer season and reap the benefits they provide.