In nearly every article you read about better health, you will find that it mentions eating more fruit and vegetables.
Many people – men in particular – seem not so keen on the idea. They prefer meat and potatoes. If you want to increase your longevity, though, you need to eat more fruit and vegetables.
The Health Benefits
Eating more plant-based foods can help reduce many health problems. It does it naturally, which shows the body’s need for a regular intake of fruit and vegetables. There is not a single fruit or vegetable that has in it all of the vitamins and minerals needed for better health, so you need to eat a variety of them each week.
Different vegetables and fruits are known to provide benefits that reduce the risk of certain diseases and health conditions. Eating a variety of fruit and vegetables can help reduce high blood pressure, control blood sugar levels, lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, prevent some cancers, reduce digestive problems, and more.
Men should know that tomato-based products contain an ingredient called lycopene. This substance helps reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Lycopene belongs to a group of chemicals called carotenoids, and this group also helps protect against cancers of the throat, mouth, and lungs.
The vegetables that have the greatest impact on reducing cancer are the cruciferous variety. These include cabbage, broccoli, and collards.
Better Weight Management
Eating more fruit and vegetables helps to give you better control of your weight. They contain fiber – and fewer calories, which helps control your weight.
The ones that best helped control weight include apples, pears, berries, and cauliflower. However, eating more potatoes, peas, and corn will not help much with weight loss. The fiber in them also helps prevent constipation.
Lowers Risk of Serious Health Problems
The different colors found in vegetables and fruit are because they contain different phytochemicals. It is these chemicals that help protect your body from various diseases.
More than one study has verified the health benefits of eating more fruit and vegetables. The recommended amount is five servings of fruit and vegetables per day. When following this advice, your risk of heart disease and stroke is lowered by 20 percent. It compares to those who ate less than three servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
It does not matter what form of fruit and vegetables you eat. They can come in any form – fresh, canned, frozen, or juiced, and they can also be dried. You can also mix them because each one contains different vitamins and minerals.
In most cases, you want to stay away from fruit juices. They contain a lot of sugar – as much as is in soda. Studies show that fruit juice does little reduce diabetes and other illnesses.
You’ll Have More Energy
Although coffee with lots of sugar can boost your energy, it is usually followed by a crash. When eating more fruit and vegetables, you will find less of a dip later and more energy throughout the day. You will also benefit from the additional nutrients which your body needs.
Knowing that when you add more veggies and fruit to your diet will help you live longer, it will help you enjoy them more. They offer various tastes, colors, health benefits, and increased longevity.