4 Unmistakable Benefits Of Good Nutrition
4 Unmistakable Benefits Of Good Nutrition
The human body is a complex makeup of cells, tissues, bones, and other vital elements. It is, therefore, crucial to take certain measures to get all these elements functioning in cohesion. This is where nutrition comes into the picture. Making that conscious decision to consume nutritious meals can go a long way to improve your health. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that 46% of adults have poor nutrition. Below are some crucial benefits of good nutrition.
- Immune health and disease prevention
Your human body has its natural defense network known as the immune system. You can consider it as the ‘soldiers’ constantly standing on guard to ward off enemies, including infections, toxins, etc. The strength of these natural fighters will largely depend on the ‘power’ you provide it with. In other words, the nutritional quality of your meals plays a significant role in how ‘battle-ready’ your immune system is. This network of natural fighters is responsible for maintaining the efficiency of the cells and helps keep all vital organs functioning.
In the meantime, specific nutrients can provide extra ammunition for the immune system. These are Vitamin C-rich foods like brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, etc. Other nutrients worth mentioning are selenium, vitamin D, protein, iron, and amino acids. A robust immune system has a higher chance of warding off infections and ill health. Even when ill health is unavoidable, the recovery rate is usually higher compared to someone with a weakened immune system.
- Blood clotting
Without the crucial function of vitamin K, people who get injured will likely bleed to death from a cut. The blood clotting mechanism is crucial for the body’s wellbeing. Coagulation or blood clotting works through the help of platelets and plasma proteins. The two work together to form a clot in an injury site. This prevents excessive bleeding and possible loss of iron in the body. Vitamin K-rich vegetables include kale, collard, and spinach. Although fruits like blueberries, avocados, and apples also contain Vitamin K, they are not in high quantities like the veggies mentioned.
This essential vitamin is fat-soluble and can be stored in the liver. Unfortunately, this organ can only store small amounts of the K vitamin. It is why you should make Vitamin K a daily requirement in your meals. Thankfully, some supplements contain this blood-clotting vitamin, making it even more convenient to incorporate into your daily consumption.
- Fertility and pregnancy
Statistics indicate that both males and females experience fertility problems at some point in their reproductive lives. However, available data suggest that one-third of the time, the male has fertility issues. For women, the issue of hormonal imbalance coupled with poor nutrition can stall the natural ability to conceive. Indeed, you will find countless online articles on the role of nutrition on fertility, with a special focus on women of childbearing age.
Meanwhile, medical research has proven that women have a higher chance of conception when they are of ideal body weight. If that is anything to go by, you may want to pay critical attention to your diet. Furthermore, when pregnancy occurs for the first time, statistics indicate that a woman may gain at least five kilos after childbirth. Once again, the quality of your nutrition may play a significant role in how quickly you lose it or not.
Your nutrition will be important in a subsequent or second pregnancy, just as in the first. Although your symptoms may differ from the first, your nutritional requirement will not change. This article titled second pregnancy: 11 ways it’s different from your first talks about the food cravings you are likely to have. Often, these cravings are strongly geared towards unhealthy food options. Having this information in mind helps you choose your foods wisely.
- Brain function and cholesterol balance
Did you know that your brain needs sugar to function? Sugar is fuel for the brain. Also known as glucose, the brain relies on it to complete cognitive functions peculiar to humans. Additionally, the right nutrition can help balance your cholesterol levels. The secret here is to be consistent in eating the right meals and in the correct quantities. For example, when you increase your omega-3 fatty acids intake, they help reduce LDL cholesterol. In reverse, HDL or good cholesterol increases.
Last but not least, human nutrition ensures proper bone structure and strength. So apart from satiating hunger, your meals do much more to aid general wellbeing. Good nutrition is synonymous with a good life. Therefore, be mindful of the things you eat.
More Articles You’ll Enjoy