Why Fruits and Vegetables are so Healthy

Why Fruits and Vegetables are so Healthy

We all know that vegetables are healthy. but what do they have that makes them super foods? The makeup of a vegetable contains quercetin, ellagic acid, beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, Vitamin C, Potassium, Fiber, Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, SDG lignans, Beta glucans, Bio Flavonoids, and Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Yes, it does sound like Chinese. More like Latin but both ways it’s hard to pronounce and most of us don’t know what it does for our bodies. Well let me elaborate a bit.

Quercetin is found in onions, citrus fruits, apples, and berries. It helps the body against allergies and any other respiratory problems. It also prevents LDL cholesterol oxidation. It’s mainly absorbed in the small intestine and is metabolized (processed) by the “good” bacteria in your intestines.

Acidophilus may be something you would want to make sure you have enough of. It’s found in yogurt but I recommend getting it through another source since dairy causes a lot of other issues. Ellagic acid has antioxidant properties that prevent cancer. It’s a polyphenol and is the basic building block of many plant based antioxidants. It also blocks the growth of cancerous cells.

Beta-carotene is converted to Vitamin A, which is vital to vision and skin health. Yellow and orange vegetables have a rich source of Beta-Carotene. Beta-Carotene reduces liver cholesterol by 40% in recent studies. Lycopene mostly found in red fruits like tomatoes and watermelon. Consumption of lycopene has been shown to decrease the risk of prostate cancer. It’s a cousin of Beta-Carotene and seems to have an even stronger nutrient. It works against heart disease as well.

Lutein is found in many fruits along with the squash family. It’s important for the eyes and the retina. Lutein has also been shown to reduce cataracts. Vitamin C keeps our immune system strong and it’s also vital to the absorption of other nutrients like Iron. It reduces joint pain and reduces free-radicals. Potassium is a valuable mineral that is good for the heart, muscles and joints. It also changes PH levels in the body to help with our bone density.

Fiber is something no one can get enough of. It’s a nesting ground for beneficial bacteria that breaks down your food in the intestines. They also help the body absorb Vitamin C. Flavanoids are responsible for the color in the fruits and veggies. They help stop tumor and cancer growth. It also assists in reducing inflammation.

Anthocyanins are in the red and blue veggies/fruits. They’re antioxidants that live deep in the cell membrane protecting them from any damage. They are used to fight neuronal decline. SDG Lignans are components of pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, and other herbal sources. It brings hormonal balance have many cancer fighting abilities. It is a great tool against prostate or reproductive cancers. Mushrooms have really great immune boosting abilities because of the Beta glucans in it. Shiitake, Reishi, and maitake mushrooms are the best sources. They stabilize the immune system and gives specific support to white blood cells and lymphocytes. They’ve been shown to increase important antibodies that kill cancer. Bioflavonoid is Vitamin C’s sidekick. It lowers cholesterol and supports joint collagen. EGCG is a strong ingredient of tea. It reduces the risk of colon and breast cancer in addition to boosting the immune system.

All of that in a simple tomato or apple. Who would’ve known?

Published
Categorized as Blogs

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *