Health Benefits of Vegetables
Vegetables are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide your body with numerous important health benefits. Carrots, for example, are rich in vitamin A, which plays an important role in maintaining eye health as we age. Here are defining of Health Benefits of Vegetables.
Vegetables offer numerous additional health benefits, including:
Improved Digestive Health
Vegetables are a good source of dietary fiber, a type of carbohydrate that helps pass food through your digestive system. Studies show that fiber may also improve vitamin and mineral absorption in the body, which could potentially raise your daily energy levels.
Lower Risk of Heart Disease
Green leafy vegetables also contain vitamin K, which is believed to prevent calcium from building up in your arteries. This can lower your risk of arterial damage and help prevent many heart health complications in the future.
Nutrition
Vegetables are a wealthy source of folate, a B nutrient that aids in red blood cell production. Folate is particularly vital to the health of adolescents and may also reduce the risk of cancer and depression.
Vegetables are also excellent sources of minerals such as:
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Phosphorous
- Selenium
Nutrients per Serving
The nutritional content of vegetables naturally depends on which kind you’re eating. For instance, calories range from 6.5 calories per celery stalk to 67 calories per 1/2 cup of peas.
Portion Sizes
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How to Prepare Vegetables
Many varieties of vegetables can be found in grocery and health food stores across the country. They can be bought in both organic and conventionally grown varieties. Experts recommend eating a varied diet of vegetables regularly to maximize their nutrient potential.
Vegetables are a versatile food that can be steamed, roasted, mixed into stir-fry, and more. They’re an essential part of cuisines all around the world that are served as either a main dish or a side dish in countless recipes.
Here are some easy ways to incorporate vegetables in your diet:
- Try a mixed salad with kale, cabbage, and brussels sprouts
- Cook onions, peppers, and zucchini together for a vegetable kabob meal
- Roast your tomatoes in the oven with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and basil
- Create a fresh Mediterranean garden salad with lettuce, sweet peas, peppers, and cherry tomatoes
- Fry vegetables with oil in a wok with chicken or tofu to create a delicious stir-fry
- Create a vegetable melt by adding asparagus, mushrooms, and peppers to toasted cheese bread