The Effects Of Healthy Food

Healthy foods have a positive effect on the physiology of your body. Foods that contain a variety of nutrients and fiber help your body to function more efficiently and maintain balance. Including healthy foods in your diet will provide you with the tools your body needs to fight infection, resist disease and increase strength and stamina.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Healthy foods, such as lean meat, fresh fruit, whole grains, fish and legumes benefit the cardiovascular system by providing nutrients that lower bad levels of cholesterol and strengthen cardiac muscle. Soy, flax and fish contain abundant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Beans, lean meats and legumes offer different forms of protein that are broken down and used by your body to rebuild and strengthen muscle and cardiac tissue. Nuts also provide easily digestible plant protein and monounsaturated fats.

Gastrointestinal Health

Healthy foods that promote good digestion contain modest amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals with few additives and preservatives. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain enzymes that help your body break down food and assimilate the nutrients. Yogurt is a good example of a healthy food that contains an abundance of enzymes and is easy for your body to digest. It contains lactobacillus acidophilus that regulates the levels of bacteria in your intestines. This beneficial bacterium regulates bowel movements and prevents constipation and diarrhea. Fruits and vegetables provide fiber that moves along your digestive tract and aids in the elimination of wastes. Grains also provide generous amounts of fiber. Both soluble and insoluble fiber is needed to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

More Energy

Proteins and carbohydrates work together to create a fuel source that your body uses for energy. Proteins are needed to build and strengthen muscle tissue. The more muscle mass you have, the more protein is needed to maintain it. People who exercise regularly need both carbs and protein to create enough energy to sustain their level of activity. Proteins and complex carbohydrates break down slowly in your digestive tract and keep blood pressure stabilized between meals. Fish, poultry and lean cuts of beef and pork are sources of animal protein. Plant proteins can be obtained from soy foods, beans and legumes. Carbohydrates are found in foods that contain fruits, vegetables and grains.

Strong Immune System

Foods containing abundant amounts of vitamin C and antioxidants are needed to strengthen the immune system. Cherries, grapes and a wide variety of other fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of antioxidants. They also prevent toxins and free radicals from damaging tissues and organs in your body. Citrus fruits and tomatoes contain large amounts of vitamin C. Since vitamin C is not stored by the body, foods that contain it need to be consumed every day. This insures that you have the necessary amounts needed to support your immune system and prevent illness.

Mental Health

The B vitamins are necessary for healthy brain function. Folic acid, niacin and other vitamins in the B family can help slow down the onset of dementia and other mental health disorders. Spinach, oranges and salmon are excellent sources of B vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary for many brain functions. These beneficial fatty acids are found in flaxseeds, salmon and other freshwater fish. Learning, memory retention and your overall mental health depend on a constant supply of omega-3s, according to Fernando Gómez-Pinilla, professor of neurosurgery at the University of California in Los Angeles.