Fun Fall Facts

Did you know the following Fall facts?

Fact: Americans typically refer to this time of year as "fall" while the British refer to it as "autumn." Both terms date back to the 16th century, but before that it was called harvest.

Fact: Weight gain around this time of year may not only be due to comforting fall foods (like pumpkin pie) but researchers have found that lack of vitamin D reduces fat breakdown and triggers fat storage.

Fact: The yellow and orange colors you see in leaves actually always exist, but they're overpowered by the abundance of green from chlorophyll. The amount of chlorophyll starts to decrease as the sun weakens and the days grow shorter.

Fact: Red and purple leaves are only that color because of the presence of sugars and sap that are trapped within the leaves. These sugars provide plants with the energy they need to survive.