In seasonal vegetables and fruits, all the nutrients are in perfect proportions. What's more, they work synergistically, i.e. they support each other, positively influencing the processes taking place in the body. Therefore, let's enjoy the richness of fresh vegetables and fruits in the summer.
Doctors and nutritionists keep saying: Eat fruit and vegetables 5 times a day. Following this advice is an easy way to stay he althy and beautiful. After all, fresh, because domestic, fruit and vegetables look so tasty on the stalls that they are difficult to resist. They tempt the senses with color, aroma, and the promise of delight on the palate. And reason dictates that they will never be as tasty and valuable as in summer. Some will just disappear from stores. There will be no more fresh cherries, raspberries, pulpwood or green peas in pods or beetroot when the season is over. And tomatoes and cucumbers will lose their flavor. In summer, it is worth eating vegetables and fruit "in advance", especially since now they are the richest in nutrients.
Food like medicine
Diet can improve your he alth or, on the contrary - worsen it. It is worth taking this into account and enriching the diet with vegetables and fruits, because thanks to nutrients, e.g. they strengthen immunity, have anti-inflammatory, antiatherosclerotic and detoxifying properties. They also reduce the risk of cancer, influence the metabolism and the acid-base balance. And at the same time, they have a high nutritional density, i.e. one calorie contains a lot of vitamins, minerals and the so-called phytochemicals. For years, it was believed that fruit and vegetables were mainly a source of vitamins, including antioxidants such as vitamin A, E, beta-carotene, minerals (including iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium) and micronutrients (e.g. zinc) , influencing many biological processes in the body. Over time, it was discovered that they contain various plant compounds (probably not all of them are already known) that have a significant impact on he alth, e.g. flavonoids, strong antioxidants neutralizing free radicals. Finally, they are rich in fiber, which affects blood lipid levels, stabilizes glucose levels, prevents it from being stored as fat and improves digestion.
Perfect nutrient composition
In vegetables and fruits, all the nutrients are in perfect proportions. What's more, they work synergistically, i.e. they support each other. It is because of thisthey can positively influence the processes taking place in the body. A single ingredient is no longer as powerful. So make the most of these precious summer gifts, because no dietary supplement can replace them. We are unable to recreate the composition of chemical compounds found, for example, in an apple. And even if it did, the profit would be small, because it is not the same in individual vegetables and fruits. So reach for what wise mother nature has created, also because you will avoid overdosing on nutrients, as it can happen with dietary supplements. Because more is not always better. An excess of one chemical can cause a deficiency of another. Sometimes it leads to the opposite of the intended effect, e.g. too high doses of beta-carotene intensify the damaging effects of free radicals instead of neutralizing them.
You must do itEat colorfully
Pigments that give color to plants are classified as valuable phytochemicals. In order not to miss any of them, eat vegetables and fruits from all color groups.
Red , such as tomatoes and watermelons, contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that lowers the risk of heart disease and cancer.Purple-blue , e.g. blueberries, eggplants, black currants, contain anthocyanins. It is believed that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, affect visual acuity, and inhibit memory and motor function disorders.Orange and yellow , such as carrots, squash, apricots, are rich in carotenoids, including beta-carotene and lutein. They strengthen immunity, protect eyesight and the circulatory system.Green , e.g. spinach, broccoli, chives, are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect the eyes against UV rays and prevent, among others, macular degeneration and cataracts. Green vegetables are also rich in folic acid, which has a beneficial effect on the nervous and circulatory systems.
ImportantWash before you eat
Vegetables and fruits may contain residues of pesticides, fertilizers, insect eggs and larvae, and bacteria, which are a common cause of abdominal pain and diarrhea. So wash them just before consumption and dry them with a paper towel. Throw away those with visible mold, as they contain mycotoxins produced by mold fungi. Don't forget to wash your hands before eating. It's not sweet berries or juicy pears, but dirty hands that can cause diarrhea. Medicines with loperamide will help you master it, slowing down intestinal peristalsis and limiting the number of bowel movements (e.g. Laremid, Stoperan, Imodium), switching to a slightly digestible diet and drinking a large amountthe amount of drinks. However, if the discomfort is severe, accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, headache, vomiting, it lasts longer than 2 days, you need to see a doctor.
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