Growing up, most of us have always been told to eat our vegetables. But have you ever wondered why it was so important that you finish your vegetables? Read on to discover why everyone should make vegetables a major part of their diet every day.
First of all, studies have proven that those individuals that eat eight or more servings of vegetables per day decreased their risk of heart disease by thirty percent. The vegetables that proved to be the most beneficial are the green leafy vegetables such as spinach and lettuce. The cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts are also major contributors to a healthy heart.
Another benefit of increasing your daily intake of vegetables is lower blood pressure. A study called a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) found that when individuals with high blood pressure started eating a diet that was rich in vegetables and fruits they were able to decrease their systolic blood pressure reading by 11 points. These individuals were also able to lower their diastolic reading by 6 points. By just changing their diets, they were able to effectively lower their overall blood pressure as much as prescription medicine can.
There have been numerous studies that have found a link between increased vegetable intake and a lower risk for cancer. There are more studies being done in this area, but at this time the results look promising. Vegetables have specific nutrients that can help to build your immune system and give your body the chance to stop cancer cells from developing.
It is a known fact that vegetables and fruits are high in indigestible fiber. When you eat indigestible fiber, it will soak up excess water as it passes through your digestive system. This will help to calm an irritable bowel and it will trigger regular bowel movements. Since the contents of the bowel are now softer and bulkier it will also relieve pressure on the digestive tract and decrease the risk of you developing diverticulosis.
Finally, vegetables are good for your vision. You have probably heard people say that carrots are good for the eyes. This is true, because carrots contain vitamin A which will improve your night vision. Dark, green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale contain two particular pigments. These pigments are lutein and zeaxanthin and they will accumulate in the eye. These two pigments will kill off the free radicals that enter the eye before they can do damage. This can prevent cataracts and macular degeneration, both of which can cause blindness.
So there you have several good reasons to increase the amount of vegetables in your diet. Try replacing those unhealthy potato chips with a crunchy veggie. Snack in between meals on carrots or celery. Do whatever you need to do to include more vegetables in your diet each day. Your body will be much healthier and you could prevent a life threatening disease.