5 Health Benefits of Vegetables You Need to Know

Being vegetarian is now a growing trend not only because it’s hip and trendy, but also because of the many health benefits that you can get from it and that’s what we’ll be to talking about in this article. So sit back, relax, and have fun, because this will surely change your life for the better.

 

1. Prevents Bloating : One of the main reasons why it’s vital for you to eat vegetables is because they help fight bloat. In other words, vegetables help your body to avoid getting fat. This is contrary to popular belief where vegetables can create a bloated belly. Though there’s some truth to that, it isn’t really the case for most vegetables. Those that are rich in fibre (kale, broccoli, sweet potato etc), are very effective when it comes to trimming down those unwanted belly fat. These fibrous vegetables flush out waste and remove gastric irritants which don’t do any good to your body. They also work against the bloating effect brought about by salt consumption. Thanks to potassium and water that flushes out excess sodium and restore the normal fluid balance in your body. Not only will you feel lighter, but also better. You’ll be more confident with your looks which then leads to you accomplishing more achievements in life.
2. Makes You Look Young : Another health benefit you can get out of eating vegetables is that you get a younger-looking skin. This is possible, thanks to Vitamin C and phytonutrients. Asides from those minerals, vegetables are also filled with water. This freshens your skin tissue, thus making it look young. Take note that most vegetables are composed of 85% to 95% water. It’s because of this that your skin easily gets hydrated. This then also reduces the formation of wrinkles. Meanwhile, phytonutrients prevent your skin from experiencing premature ageing. In simpler words, this prevents cell damage from various elements such as pollution, sunlight, stress, and different kind of toxins. There’s also Vitamin C which helps in collagen formation. This is essential for the youthful glow we all want to have. Those that are brightly coloured are the ones that have lots of beta-carotene. What this nutrient does is that it protects your skin from the harmful rays of sunlight. You can eat tomatoes if you want to prevent sunburn. These are rich in lycopene which acts as a natural sunscreen. Other vegetables that will make you look younger are basil, spinach, eggplant, kale etc.
3. Bone Protection and Strengthening : Eating vegetables isn’t just about being healthy and having a fit body, but it’s also about strength. When you eat vegetables, your bones together with your muscles, become stronger. Vitamin D is rich in calcium. There are also those that are rich in potassium, Vitamin K, magnesium, and prebiotic fiber. These nutrients help improve your bone structure, making it stronger in the process. A good example of these is tomatoes that are pretty good when it comes to strengthening your bones. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene which is just what you need if you want to prevent bone injuries. This also lowers the risk of osteoporosis and other degenerative bone diseases. If you want to take in Vitamin K and calcium, better eat vegetables that have dark-green leaves. Turnip greens, collard greens, spinach, and green peas are some of the best examples. Meanwhile, kale, onions, garlic, and leeks are rich in prebiotic fiber.
4. Stress Reduction : Who says that the benefits you’ll get from eating vegetables are only confined to the physical ones. Well, it goes well beyond that as they also help in reducing stress. Most vegetables are rich in vitamin C and magnesium and when you’ve got these nutrients in your body, you’re less likely to be stressed up. This is because of the chemical reactions that happen when these enter your body. This means that Vitamin C isn’t easily depleted. But again, it’s more than that as you’ll also get lots of Vitamin B and Omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are again very good when it comes to fighting anxiety and depression. Magnesium and potassium calm you down as they relax your blood vessels and ensure that your blood pressure won’t go up. This is very useful especially if you’re always stressed up at work or in school. They prevent the dipping of your energy, which in turn, reduces the tendency of mood swings. Mushrooms, potatoes, squash, and edamame also help you reduce stress. You’ll also feel happier because you’re eating healthy foods.
5. Improved Vision and Digestive Health : Is your sight blurring down? Or are you having problems in looking at objects found far away? Well, you can get a pair of new glasses, or perhaps just eat some vegetables. Surprised? Well, don’t be, because that’s what some vegetables are for. Eating vegetables also help you prevent macular degeneration and even cataracts. A recent study proves this. The study says that there are lots of vegetables containing zeaxanthin and lutein. These two nutrients are very helpful when it comes to improving your eye health. They help reduce eye fatigue. This, in turn, saves you the hassle of wearing eyeglasses throughout the day. Some examples are carrots, brussel sprout, sweet potatoes, spinach etc. Vegetables are also fantastic for improving your digestive system. Vegetables, just like fruits, are rich in fibre and this fibre is what enables your digestive system to run smoothly. It ensures that all of the toxic elements in your body are flushed out. Just be sure that you drink lots of water so that the fibre won’t get clogged up.

Bonus Knowledge: Eating vegetables is undoubtedly good for your body. However, you need to be careful when it comes to eating frozen vegetables and fruits. Especially those that have been canned. Prepackaged meals usually contain synthetic flavourings and added sugar and salt. This disrupts the natural balance that you’re supposed to take into your body. Always choose vegetables which are freshly harvested from the garden. It’s also better if you choose those that come from small farms instead of huge industrialised farms. It’s because smaller farms are treated naturally. They’re also less likely to have used synthetic fertilisers.

Conclusion

With all of these being said, you can clearly see how important vegetables are to our body. Not only do they help us stay fit, but also help us live longer and stronger lives. They also help us cope up with depression and even stress. Hopefully, this article has helped you. If you like it,please feel free to share it with your friends. The best of luck to you!