Optimum Health: 10 Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables

Healthy eating is important but it can be difficult to stick to a healthy eating plan on a regular basis. It helps to understand the benefits of eating well – when you know how you are improving your body and your health you get much better incentive to stick with the routine. For example, fruits and vegetables are essential components of a healthy diet. They provide a collection of nutrients for wellbeing benefits – here are some of the reasons why fruits and vegetables are important as part of a healthy diet.

1. When you eat lots of fruit and vegetables – a variety of different types and colors – you lower your risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease. You also have a lower risk of suffering from stroke.
2. A diet rich in the nutrients that fruits and vegetables provide helps you avoid some cancers – an important benefit and one that you cannot ignore.
3. Fruits and vegetables can even help you lose weight. Fill up with these foods and you’ll be less hungry, and less likely to choose unhealthy options. The fiber in fruits and vegetables also helps your weight loss journey. Fruits are great for dieters – they are sweet but without the excess calories or cholesterol.
4. Fiber in vegetables and fruit also lowers your risk of diabetes and heart disease. It helps you maintain a good digestive system which reduces constipation.
5. When eating fruits, you also get a good dose of vitamins and minerals. In particular, fruits are high in vitamin C and A, potassium, folic acid, and fiber.
6. Folic acid is essential for the healthy formation of red blood cells, and to prevent birth defects – pregnant women should get a good supply of folic acid (folate).
7. Vitamin A is crucial for healthy vision, plus it helps your body fight infections.
8. Lots of vitamin C not only can help prevent the common cold but also fights more serious infections.
9. Potassium in fruits and vegetables lowers blood pressure and cuts your risk of kidney stones. Potassium also protects against bone loss.
10. Vitamin A and other nutrients in fruits and vegetables protect your eyes – you are at lower risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

Eat a range of different fruits and vegetables – in different colors – every day. By doing this you get the full range of nutritional benefits and you also keep interested in following your healthy diet.