Vegetables are an essential part of everyone's diet, with a wide variety and high nutritional value. They play a crucial role in maintaining good health. However, while most people are aware that eating vegetables is good for the body, they may not know the specific benefits. So what are the advantages of eating vegetables?
Vegetables are an important source of vitamins
Only vegetables and fruits contain vitamin C and vitamin A in the form of carotenoids, as well as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and niacin. Vitamin C helps prevent scurvy, while vitamin A maintains vision and prevents dry eyes and night blindness. Consuming more vegetables can supply the body with the necessary vitamins and maintain overall health.
Vegetables improve protein absorption
Eating too few vegetables can lead to a lack of various vitamins and trace elements, which can result in nutritional deficiencies, weakened immune system, and decreased overall health. It can also affect the absorption of protein. However, when vegetables are consumed alongside meat, protein absorption can increase by as much as 87%, which is 20% higher compared to consuming meat alone.
Vegetables are an important source of minerals
Vegetables contain minerals such as calcium, iron, and copper. Calcium is crucial for the development of children's bones and teeth and can prevent rickets. Iron and copper promote hemoglobin synthesis, stimulate red blood cell production, prevent poor appetite and anemia in children, and support growth and development. Vegetables can also act as alkaline foods, neutralizing the acidity of grains and meat, and helping to balance the body's fluid acid-base levels.
Vegetables are a significant source of dietary fiber
Vegetables are rich in dietary fiber, which stimulates gastric juice secretion and intestinal peristalsis. This increases the contact area between food and digestive fluids, facilitating digestion and absorption of nutrients, promoting waste elimination, and preventing constipation.
Vegetables are a source of volatile aromatic oils
Vegetables contain volatile aromatic oils, which give them unique flavors, such as the spiciness of ginger, scallions, and garlic. These distinct aromas stimulate appetite and can also help prevent certain diseases.
Vegetables promote dental health
Eating more vegetables can help prevent tooth decay. Vegetables contain 90% water and abundant dietary fiber, which dilute sugars during chewing, improve oral hygiene, and inhibit bacterial growth. Additionally, dietary fiber also acts as a natural tooth cleaner.
