Like other plants,
vegetables are easily taken for granted and even ignored. This fact is rather disappointing, because when it comes to healing the body vegetables are not just superfoods, they are superheroes! Vegetables provide:
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Protection from chronic disease
Vegetables contain all the nutrients necessary to protect you from aging, arthritis, cancer, dementia,
heart disease, and stroke. In fact, a study found that individuals who consumed seven or more portions of fruits and vegetables per day lowered their risk of dying from any cause by 42 percent. That was in comparison to individuals who consumed only 1 portion or less.
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Stress management
You already know that stress attacks your mental and physical health; yet, you may not know that stress lowers your levels of magnesium and vitamin C. This is dangerous considering that vitamin C helps maintain immunity while magnesium balances the stress hormone,
cortisol, works with potassium to lower blood pressure, and maximises calcium absorption for muscle function and immune health.
Top Tips:
- Kale, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables contain a lot of magnesium
- Cucumbers, bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes are great sources of vitamin C
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Nervous system support
Calcium absorption assisted by magnesium also maintains nerve function throughout the body. Moreover, vegetables contain high amounts of folate, which supports brain function.
Top Tips:
- Avocados contain more folate than any other fruit and are loaded with potassium, glutathione, and healthy fats
- Asparagus is rich in folate
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Relief from anxiety and depression
In addition to managing stress, vegetables further protect your mental health by supplying an excess of omega-3 fats and B vitamins. These nutrients are known to ease anxiety and depression leaving you with greater peace of mind.
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Reduced inflammation
Eating vegetables regularly gives your body a constant supply of vitamin K, which fights and suppresses
inflammation.
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Easier hydration
Fulfilling your daily water intake requirement can be a chore, but vegetables can make it much easier. After all, vegetables consist of 85 to 95 percent
water!
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Healthy skin
Carotenoids not only provide vegetables with their vivid colors, but also add a warm glow to your skin. Likewise, lycopene acts as a natural sunscreen protecting your
skin from sun damage.
Top Tips:
- Carrots, peppers, winter squash, and other red/orange vegetables provide beta-carotene
- Tomatoes serve as the best source of lycopene
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Slower aging
Vegetables do wonders for slowing your
aging process. Internally, vegetables prevent cell damage by guarding cells from environmental toxins, oxidative stress, and UV light. Externally, vitamin C boosts collagen formation which keeps wrinkles from forming.
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Stronger bones
Calcium and magnesium together with silica and other minerals reinforce your bones’ structure. Fermented vegetables also offer a reliable amount of vitamin K2, which regulates how calcium is used. Vitamin K2 ensures that calcium moves into your teeth and bones and out of your arteries and soft tissue where it can cause damage.
Top Tips:
- Fennels seeds help maintain bone mineral density and content
- Fennel seeds also prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women
10. Much, much more…
Still not convinced? Just
‘Ask a Naturopath’ to share with you his or her personal list of all the benefits of eating vegetables.
