Veggies contain loads of nutrients that can help you look and feel great, and they're some of the healthiest foods you can eat!
Vegetables truly are one of the best sources of vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals you can find, which makes them excellent food cures. You should be getting at least five servings of vegetables daily, but I encourage you to eat even more than that, since they’re so good for you. Keep in mind that starchy veggies like corn, peas, potatoes (white and sweet), and winter squash contain more calories than water-rich, nonstarchy vegetables.
One of the great things about eating your daily servings of vegetables is that they provide you with an array of nutrients, including the B vitamins folate, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin B6; antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, quercetin, and anthocyanins; and countless other phytonutrients.
B vitamins like folate and B6 keep your hair strong and healthy. Some research suggests that they may also reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseaseand slow age-related memory loss. Folate, in particular, contributes to the production of serotonin, so it may help ward off depression as well as improve your mood, and vitamin B6 aids in dopamine production, which may reduce PMS symptoms. Riboflavin and niacin are two additional B vitamins that may help prevent cataracts.
Veggies that contain beta-carotene, such as pumpkin, winter squash, carrots, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy greens, contribute to the growth and repair of the body's tissues. Beta-carotene may also protect your skin against sun damage. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body at a carefully controlled rate. A diet rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, another powerful carotenoid, has been associated with a reduced risk of developing inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.
Read the original topic: Vegetables: How Food Affects Health
