8 Fruits and Vegetables for Health

From a young age we are told repeatedly to eat our fruits and vegetables. Nevertheless, most people are unaware just how beneficial fruits and vegetables can be. Most fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, proteins, minerals, fiber and other vital substances. Certain fruits and vegetables can help to lower blood sugar, regulate diabetes, relieve asthma, and much more. Here are eight fruits and vegetables that will greatly benefit your health and your diet.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes contain vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A can help regulate blood pressure, maintain healthy tissues, and contribute to good eyesight. Your body needs vitamin C in order to repair damaged tissue, and to promote a healthy mouth. A third vitamin found in sweet potatoes is vitamin B that helps heal stomach ulcers.

Some minerals found in sweet potatoes include potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium. Potassium can aid in regulating blood pressure while magnesium prevents inflammation. Iron is essential to the body for blood cells to carry oxygen. Getting enough iron in your diet can help you to battle fatigue, and calcium makes bones strong and healthy.

Not only are sweet potatoes rich with vitamins and minerals but also they contain beta-carotene, which is a carotenoid. Beta-carotene increases our immune system, which is responsible for fighting illness. This carotenoid has also been found to aid in the curing of certain types of cancer including colon, prostate, and kidneys. It is also thought to relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, calcium, beta-carotene, and fiber. Therefore broccoli also has many of the same benefits as sweet potatoes; however, there are some different benefits to broccoli.

In addition to beta-carotene, broccoli contains lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which are carotenoids. These two carotenoids are found in the lens of our eyes. By eating broccoli you are actually promoting healthy eyes and protecting your vision. It is also useful in preventing cataracts.

Women who are pregnant should eat broccoli because it contains folic acid. Folic acid decreases the risk of birth defects by aiding the DNA processes of pregnancy. Some men may want to eat broccoli because it decreases estrogen levels, therefore increasing testosterone levels.

Asparagus

Asparagus shares a lot of benefits with sweet potatoes and broccoli. They all have similar vitamins and minerals. Though all three have vitamin K, asparagus contains more vitamin K than any other vitamin. Vitamin K helps the blood clot normally and protects bones.

Asparagus also helps control fungus and blood sugar. Inulin is found in asparagus, and it feeds good bacteria in our intestines. This helps to prevent yeast infections by keeping fungal levels under control. The high content of vitamin B is what helps to keep our blood sugar in check.

Corn

Similar to the previous vegetables, corn has vitamin A, vitamin K, B vitamins, and folate. This means corn can regulate blood pressure, maintain healthy tissues, help blood clot, promote good eyesight, protect bones, and prevent birth defects. Corn has additional benefits as well, such as preventing lung cancer, aiding memory, and helping to deal with stress.

Corn has beta-cryptoxanthin. This is the substance that is thought to decrease the chances of developing lung cancer.  Corn is also helpful with memory because it contains thiamin, also known as vitamin B1. Thiamin is vital for cognitive brain cell functioning and the synthesis of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter associated with memory. Finally corn can be useful when dealing with stress because of pantothenic acid, which is associated with the functioning of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are responsible for releasing hormones when we are under stress.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, folate, beta-carotene, and iron. They are thought to reduce the risk of hypertension and urinary track infections. It is also believed that they help to dissolve gallstones. The largest health benefit from tomatoes is cancer prevention and disease prevention.

Tomatoes contain a carotenoid called lycopene. Lycopene helps to prevent cancer and heart disease. It is an antioxidant and so it protects cells against oxygen damage. Lycopene can be found in anything made from tomatoes, but its highly concentrated in organic tomatoes.

Bananas

Bananas are an excellent source of potassium. The potassium in bananas can prevent high blood pressure and keep bones healthy. Bananas are anti-acidic so they are easy on the stomach and can help heal ulcers. Since bananas soothe the inside of the stomach they are good remedies for morning sickness, menstrual cramps, and hangovers. Bananas are not only calming to the stomach but they can soothe emotions because they contain tryptophan, which helps produce serotonin elevating a person’s mood.

Mangoes

Vitamin A, vitamin C, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and iron can all be found in mangoes. Glutamine acid can also be found in a mango. It is responsible for memory and our ability to concentrate. The antioxidants found in mangoes aid in cancer prevention and the prevention of heart disease. Lupeol is supposed to reduce the formation of kidney stones. In addition to these benefits, mangoes contain vitamin E.

Apples

Apples are good for the digestive system because they are high in fiber. Antioxidants and the magnesium in apples make them ideal for suppressing asthma. Magnesium is an anti-inflammatory mineral so it eliminates congestion. Two other substances found in apples are malic acid and tartaric acid, and both work to regulate the liver and digestive system.

A particularly useful substance in apples is pectin. Not only is pectin good at decreasing bad cholesterol, but it is also useful in removing toxic substances. Pectin within the skin of an apple supplies galacturonic acid, which removes toxins from the body.

About the author: Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes for www.insurancequotes.org.

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