Why You Should Eat Vegetables

Vegetables are the parts of plants which humans consume as food either raw or cooked, and are essential sources of nutrients for the body. Some common vegetables are garden egg, carrot, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes pumpkins tomato, onions and so on.

Functions of Vegetables

Vegetables are low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. They are rich form of dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, folate (folic acid), vitamin A, B, C, E and K. Dietary fiber from vegetables, help to reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease and obesity. It ensures proper bowel function and protects the bowel function and protects the bowel from protracted constipation, colon cancer, diverticulosis (a small out-pouching or sacs called diverticula that can develop in the wall of the digestive tract) and hemorrhoids.

Vegetables are the wellspring of antioxidants which protect the human body from oxidant-related diseases, inflammations, cancer, stress and kidney stone.

Vitamins A, B, C, E and K makes the teeth, eyes and skin healthy and helps heal cuts and woulds. They ensure healthy gums, support in the absorption of iron and protects against varied infections.

Vegetables boost the immune system of the body and decrease bone loss.

Folate is very important in the metabolism of nucleic and amino acids as well as in methylation reactions. It helps the body form red blood cells. For the childbearing and pregnant woman, the importance can not be overemphasize, because it reduces the risk of neural tube defects, anencephaly and spina bifida during fetal development.

Food rich in potassium help to maintain healthy blood pressure.

A dietary guideline recommends at least nine serving vegetable nutrients daily, and according to a research, those that eat more than five serving vegetables daily have approximately twenty percent lower risk of developing coronary heart disease or stroke. Therefore, it's good to eat more vegetables to remain healthy.

Care of Vegetables

Wash properly.

If you intend to cook it, wash first before cutting in order not to reduce the vitamins.

To cook vegetables, steam them or use a wok.

Do not overcook or microwave your vegetables because these methods destroy the enzymes.