Do you remember the days in your childhood when you used to dread eating vegetables? As we learned about nutrition, we realized that our parents were always right about vegetables. But some adults find this out too late and end up deteriorating their health. The modern sedentary lifestyle and processed food diet have stripped nutrition from our diets. Getting some organic foods in your diet is extremely important.
Any food platter is incomplete with the absence of vegetables. Vegetables have been a staple in people's diets for longer than we care to count and there’s a reason they fit into any and every diet.Vegetables are one of the best additions you can make to your diet. They are dense in nutritional content, loaded with antioxidants and fibers, and carry many health benefits. We will discuss the 5 best vegetables to eat daily!
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Carrots
Carrots are one of the most popularly used vegetables. The credit goes to their universality. They can be added to vegetable stews, taken as a side dish, munched on as a snack, and even blended into juices and smoothies. Carrots contain vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene, and antioxidants. Studies have suggested that consuming carrots regularly can lower the risk of colorectal cancer by 17%. A group of studies have also indicated that carrots have the potential to reduce the risk of lung cancer.
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Spinach
How can a list of healthy vegetables ever not include spinach? This leafy green vegetable is classified as a superfood for its many health benefits. This wasn’t Popeye's favorite food for no reason! Spinach is extremely abundant in antioxidants. Including it in your diet can help fend off free radicals in the body. Moreover, spinach boasts of being rich in beta-carotene and lutein. Both these nutrients are known to reduce the risk of cancer and improve eye health. Studies have also suggested that including spinach in your diet helps lower high blood pressure and prevents the risk of developing heart diseases.
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Cabbage
Another tremendous leafy green to include in your diet is cabbage. It belongs to the same family as Broccoli, kale, and Brussel sprouts. Studies conducted on animals have suggested that cabbages also have cancer-fighting abilities, although research is still ongoing. However, this claim holds potential, especially in the case of esophageal and lung cancer. Cabbage can even be fermented to make kimchi, a popular and extremely healthy Korean side dish. It carries several antioxidants and may even aid in weight loss.
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Broccoli
Another great addition to your daily meal is Broccoli. This green cruciferous vegetable goes with everything from noodles to stews. You can even blend it to make a thick and creamy soup. Broccoli is an abundant source of vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and folate. Certain studies have suggested that Broccoli might have cancer-fighting abilities, although more studies are yet to be conducted. Other research works have also indicated that broccoli sprouts can reduce chronic inflammation, reducing the risk of developing heart diseases.
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Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are not just tasty, but they are incredibly healthy and nutritious, too. They are an abundant source of manganese, potassium, fiber, protein, vitamin B6 and C. Moreover, it is rich in beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A upon consumption by our bodies. Including sweet potatoes in your diet can help regulate blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Moreover, some studies have suggested that sweet potatoes could also contain cancer-fighting properties in the lungs.
Veggies are a must-have in your diet to help compensate for the body's nutritional needs. But remember to always eat a balanced diet and pair this up with regular exercise to live to the best of your health.