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Vegetables And Their Benefits |
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Written by Vicki Churchill
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Today, everyone is aware that vegetables are good for you and eating the right amount can improve longevity significantly. Many people are conscious of the fact that eating five or more portions of different fruits and vegetables a day encourages good health and reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes, skin and a strong immune system.
The Vitamin A found in colourful vegetables, usually bright yellow, orange or green is called Pro vitamin which is then turned into vitamin A within the body.
Here is a list of vegetables that contain vitamin A
Asparagus, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Carrots, Peas, Broccoli, Cabbage
It is unlikely you would need to take a supplement to top up your levels of vitamin A if you have a healthy, balanced diet. However, if you do feel the need to take vitamin tablets it is always best to seek medical advice before doing so.
Vitamin C is vital to maintain a healthy immune system, large doses can also reduce the chances of catching a cold, help reduce damage to inflamed joints in arthritis sufferers and even reduce many symptoms that asthmatics experience.
Good sources of vegetables with Vitamin C are:
Cabbage, Spinach, Peppers, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cauliflower, Onions, Lettuce, Asparagus, Cucumber.
These vegetables are not only very easy to prepare and cook but are readily available to purchase in supermarkets and farm stores.
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant; it helps to repair cells and is often found in anti-ageing creams.
Recent research has shown that this vitamin can delay or even prevent cancer, heart disease and cataracts, the list of vegetables below may be small but very beneficial.
Spinach, Broccoli, Greens.
Most vegetables that contain this vitamin are green and leafy To get the maximum benefit from the above list of vegetables it is recommend you buy organically produced and eat them when they are fresh.
It is a common misconception that eating raw vegetables is better than cooking them, This is not always the case and it really depends on what you want to get out of them. For example cooking vegetables such as carrots can release certain substances that help us to absorb the vitamins easily.
Overall the important thing to bear in mind is to vary the vegetables you eat. Try to eat from a range of food groups and make sure you eat a variety of different coloured vegetables.
About the Author:
Vicki Churchill is the owner of www.simplecookery.com a website that contains lots of useful cooking tips and ideas along with facts and articles about vegetable nutrition. |
