"Eat vegetables": the simplest nutritional advice we have all heard as we grew up. Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Vegetables provide many essential nutrients vital for proper maintenance of our body. They can be consumed in a variety of forms: mixed salads, juices, baked, and cooked and even raw at times!
Certain choices like broccoli, kale, spinach, beets, tomatoes and garlic have additional health benefits making them superfoods! People eating a diet rich in these superfoods are less likely to develop chronic diseases and reduce the risk of cancer, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. This is because vegetables are an excellent source of detoxification for the body.
DETOX AND ITS BENEFITS
In simple terms, Detox (or detoxification) is the removal of toxins and impurities from the blood. Over a period of time, many impurities through food and alcohol are deposited in the cells of the body. The liver, kidneys, intestines, skin and lymph nodes are the major organs responsible for elimination of these toxins and impurities from our body.
Through feeding the body certain healthy nutrients the body is able to help these organs remove and eliminate toxins from the body. This process of detoxification helps:
- organs function at their highest potential
- renew the body's natural cleansing system
- maintain optimum health.
Other benefits of detoxification include:
- stimulation of the immune system,
- enhancement of the hormonal system
- reduction in dependency on addictive substances such as sugar, caffeine, nicotine or alcohol.
Detox programs can be of various types. Long term detoxes focus on dietary changes such as avoiding meats, high-carbohydrates or sweeteners and eating more vegetables and fruits or garlic. Long term detoxes also generally include drinking more fluids (water, vegetable and fruit juice, herbal tea) and taking vitamins and supplements regularly.
Short-term detox programs include juice fasting for a day, colon cleansing, skin cleansing, and weight loss detoxes. These programs are aimed for a specific goal such as shedding a few pounds, the rejuvenation of skin to improve complexion, or simple body cleansing to remove impurities from the body inside out. Photo Credit: butternutrition.com
DETOX WITH VEGETABLES
The most effective way to kick-start a detox program is to consume abundant portions of vegetables each day. Vegetables can be consumed in any form but the best way to start is to have lots of vegetable juices for the first two days.
Vegetables are an important part of healthy eating as they are rich sources of potassium, fiber and water. Greens counteract bloating by helping the body flush out excess sodium and restoring its normal fluid balance. Excess sodium in the body causes bloating of the body so eating more vegetables actually makes people look leaner too!
Potassium rich vegetables help maintain healthy blood pressure. The dietary fiber from vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels thereby lowering risk of heart diseases and strokes.
Folate (folic acid) in vegetables helps the body form healthy red blood cells. This is especially beneficial to women who are pregnant as it reduces the risk of neural tube defects during fetal development.
Bright colored vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin A and vitamin C which keep the bodies eyes and skin healthy by protecting against infections and healing cuts and wounds.
Most vegetables consist of 85 percent to 90 per cent water making them naturally low in fat and calories while also powerfully hydrating and cleansing our bodies as well.
CONCLUSION
Vegetables are not only good for the body but they work wonders with the mind too. Many vegetables contain omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins that fight anxiety and depression which relaxes both our minds and bodies. It is important to understand that the connection between the mind and the body is real and brain functionality plays a vital role in simple wellbeing. Vegetables help both!
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WORKS CITED
http://www.rebootwithjoe.com/eating/a-z-fruit-veggies/
http://butternutrition.com/the-liver-your-most-important-fat-burning-organ/