By
Brian Hubbard
We often hear the platitude that we should eat lots of fruits and vegetables, but it is rarely followed by extensive information that explains the tangible ways in which fruits and vegetables will improve our health. As it turns out, there are at least ten different parts of the human body that benefit from daily consumption of different fruits and vegetables.
1) The Immune System:
The vitamin A in fruits like tomatoes and watermelon helps the body to fend off viral and bacterial infections. In addition, the generally high amount of minerals and vitamins found in all fruits and vegetables improves energy levels, and this in turn also helps us to fight infections.
2) The Arteries:
If you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, your arties will harden at a slower rate. This in turn decreases your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke (which are two extremely common causes of death in the United States).
3) The Skin:
Vitamin C (such as that found in oranges and kiwis) is connected with more slowly developing wrinkles, better skin hydration, and generally younger looking skin.. Grapefruits, kiwis, oranges, green peppers and broccoli are all substantial sources of vitamin C.
4) The Digestive System:
Fruits and vegetables are all full of fiber, which your digestive system needs in order to be healthy. If you have a healthy digestive system then you reduce your chances of suffering from constipation (which is a debilitating ailment that can lead to seriously painful and chronic conditions such as anal fissures).
5) The Blood:
Berries, broccoli and peas are particularly rich in folate, which is crucial for the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen to all of our vital organs. Folic acid from the aforementioned fruits and vegetables are also particularly useful during pregnancy, when it can reduce the risk of your child suffering from birth defects.
6) The Waistline:
Fruits and vegetables are low in both fat and calories, making them an ideal snack that can help dieters satiate their hunger and avoid consuming less healthy foods. They also reduce future hunger because they help you feel fuller for more lengthy periods of time.
7) The Mouth:
People who consume vitamin C have healthier gums, partly because it has anti-inflammatory properties and Gingivitis (i.e. gum disease) results specifically from gum inflammation. As mentioned above, grapefruits, kiwis, oranges, green peppers and broccoli will all provide you with a large amount of vitamin C.
8) The Prostate:
Although the relationship is at present rather mysterious, it appears that men can reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer by eating a substantial and regular amount of tomatoes.
9) The Eyes:
Spinach and watermelon are among the fruits and vegetables that provide the body with the most vitamin A, which is required not just for healthy skin but also for healthy eyes. However, most fruits and vegetables actually contain at least some vitamin A, so you will be receiving this benefit from most of the fruits and vegetables that you consume.
10) The Heart:
Although more research needs to be conducted on the relationship between heart health and the consumption of fruits and vegetables, some current studies indicate that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will encourage lower blood pressure.
You will get the maximum benefit of eating fruits and vegetables if you make sure to eat nine or ten portions each day, but even five or six portions a day will improve your health to some extent. However, don't forget to vary your diet. As helpful as fruits and vegetables obviously are, they will do little good without being consumed alongside a healthy amount of items from the other main food groups.
We often hear the platitude that we should eat lots of fruits and vegetables, but it is rarely followed by extensive information that explains the tangible ways in which fruits and vegetables will improve our health. As it turns out, there are at least ten different parts of the human body that benefit from daily consumption of different fruits and vegetables.
1) The Immune System:
The vitamin A in fruits like tomatoes and watermelon helps the body to fend off viral and bacterial infections. In addition, the generally high amount of minerals and vitamins found in all fruits and vegetables improves energy levels, and this in turn also helps us to fight infections.
2) The Arteries:
If you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, your arties will harden at a slower rate. This in turn decreases your chances of developing heart disease or having a stroke (which are two extremely common causes of death in the United States).
3) The Skin:
Vitamin C (such as that found in oranges and kiwis) is connected with more slowly developing wrinkles, better skin hydration, and generally younger looking skin.. Grapefruits, kiwis, oranges, green peppers and broccoli are all substantial sources of vitamin C.
4) The Digestive System:
Fruits and vegetables are all full of fiber, which your digestive system needs in order to be healthy. If you have a healthy digestive system then you reduce your chances of suffering from constipation (which is a debilitating ailment that can lead to seriously painful and chronic conditions such as anal fissures).
5) The Blood:
Berries, broccoli and peas are particularly rich in folate, which is crucial for the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen to all of our vital organs. Folic acid from the aforementioned fruits and vegetables are also particularly useful during pregnancy, when it can reduce the risk of your child suffering from birth defects.
6) The Waistline:
Fruits and vegetables are low in both fat and calories, making them an ideal snack that can help dieters satiate their hunger and avoid consuming less healthy foods. They also reduce future hunger because they help you feel fuller for more lengthy periods of time.
7) The Mouth:
People who consume vitamin C have healthier gums, partly because it has anti-inflammatory properties and Gingivitis (i.e. gum disease) results specifically from gum inflammation. As mentioned above, grapefruits, kiwis, oranges, green peppers and broccoli will all provide you with a large amount of vitamin C.
8) The Prostate:
Although the relationship is at present rather mysterious, it appears that men can reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer by eating a substantial and regular amount of tomatoes.
9) The Eyes:
Spinach and watermelon are among the fruits and vegetables that provide the body with the most vitamin A, which is required not just for healthy skin but also for healthy eyes. However, most fruits and vegetables actually contain at least some vitamin A, so you will be receiving this benefit from most of the fruits and vegetables that you consume.
10) The Heart:
Although more research needs to be conducted on the relationship between heart health and the consumption of fruits and vegetables, some current studies indicate that eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will encourage lower blood pressure.
You will get the maximum benefit of eating fruits and vegetables if you make sure to eat nine or ten portions each day, but even five or six portions a day will improve your health to some extent. However, don't forget to vary your diet. As helpful as fruits and vegetables obviously are, they will do little good without being consumed alongside a healthy amount of items from the other main food groups.
