When you think of vegetables from when you were a child, you probably think of bland or awful tasting green things your mom used to force-feed you. As you grow older, your perspective changes. Now you think eating vegetables mean tossing a few leaves of lettuce, adding some tomatoes and cucumber, and perhaps some dressing to camouflage the taste that until now, you are still not that fond of.
There are many other vegetables that are not part of your usual T.L.C. And there are a number of ways you can prepare them too, like steaming them, adding them to your usual stews or soups, the now very popular juicing, and the less popular option which is fermenting.
Having your vegetables fermented is one of the best ways to turn them into superfoods. This is achieved through the culturing process that produces good microbes that are extremely beneficial and important if you want to boost you immunity by balancing your intestinal flora.
Aside from that, fermented food are known to be among the best chelators and detoxifying agents available to us these days. That means they can rid your body of various toxins such as heavy metals that would otherwise be building up inside your body. Unfortunately, very few people actually consume the recommended amount of vegetables (2 to 3 cups per day).
If you need more reasons not to skimp on your veggies, here are some of their benefits to convince you:
- Weight Management
As they are low in net carbs and high in fiber, vegetables can aid you in losing and managing your weight. Consuming fiber-rich vegetables which can suppress your appetite will make you feel satiated for a longer period.
- Improvement of Your Digestion and Overall Gut Health
Fiber and water found in vegetables can help solve constipation and nourishes beneficial gut bacteria for optimal gut health.
- Improvement in Mood and Psychological Well-Being
Researches show that the more you eat vegetables, the calmer you feel and the more you improve your mental well-being, too. Aside from that, it is also related to some traits that are associated with happiness.
- Chronic Disease Risk Reduction
Veggies help reduce one’s risk for chronic diseases that include certain cancers, heart diseases, and diabetes, among others. In fact, eating more than an extra serving of those leafy greens can reduce the risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes by an impressive 14%.
- Healthier Immune System
According to research, a gene called T-bet that is needed to produce immune cells in your gut is activated by leafy vegetables. These immune cells are found in your digestive track; they are essential for producing a hormone that protects your body from pathogenic bacteria, resolving cancerous lesions, and preventing food allergies.
If you really have a problem adding vegetables on your plate, then juicing may be the perfect for you. But with these benefits, who wouldn’t want to include them in their diet?
