Reasons Why It Is Important To Eat Healthy Foods

A healthy diet is one that consists of foods from all the major food groups. Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals are essential components of a healthy diet and are supplied by the major food groups. It is important to eat a wide variety of healthy foods to help ensure proper nutrition and improved health.

Heart Benefits

The American Heart Association states that having healthy eating habits may help reduce a person's risk of having a heart attack or stroke. High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels and being overweight are factors that put individuals at risk for heart disease that causes stroke and heart attack. Eating healthy foods can help reduce your blood cholesterol levels, lower your blood pressure and keep your weight at a desirable value in conjunction with exercise.

Immune System

Protection of the immune system is an important benefit of eating healthy foods. Exposure to the sun and other environmental pollutants encourages the development of free radicals in the body. Free radicals are highly oxygenated molecules that can affect and destroy cells of the immune system, making it difficult to fight off disease and infection. Antioxidants are nutrients that can destroy free radicals. Eating a healthy diet that contains fruits and vegetables can supply the body with these helpful nutrients.

Type II Diabetes

The body releases insulin into the blood stream to reduce its blood sugar level. Type II diabetes occurs when the body stops responding to insulin and the blood sugar level rises and remains this way. Type II diabetes can cause blindness, kidney failure and a decrease in blood circulation leading to the amputation of body parts like the limbs and toes. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a healthy diet that contains whole grains, less sugars, moderate amounts of alcohol and good fats can help prevent type II diabetes.