Why should we eat fruit and vegetables?

Fruit and vegetables play an important role in keeping us healthy and preventing illness. However, only 25% of us eat 3 or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day.

Eating our greens has been shown to have many positive health benefits as they are packed full of nutrients, antioxidants, and fibre and are low in calories. Leafy greens are high in Vitamins A, C, E and K as well as calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus and potassium. By including more greens into our daily meals we are loading ourselves up with all the goodness that helps strengthen our health.

Some of the great reasons why you should eat your greens include:

Heal the digestive tract
Reduce inflammation
Improve skin appearance
Lower cholesterol
Cardiovascular protection
Boost bone health
Enhance brain function and mood enhancement
Maintain a strong immune function
Help fuel the body
Prevent cancer

Fruit and vegetables provide us with great sources of vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for the body’s immune system. Some of the benefits include:

· Strengthen our immune system and reduce inflammation (giving us more energy)

· Powerful antioxidant that helps protect us from diseases including cancer

· Helps maintain strong bones, joints, skin and digestive tract

· Can lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes

· Important during times of stress – the adrenal glands love vitamin C!

· Helps boost iron absorption (especially when paired with plant based iron rich foods)

By having a diet high in plant foods will ensure you meet the recommended daily intakes (90mg males, 75mg for females). Some great sources that are rich in polyphenols include: oranges, kiwifruit, strawberries, papaya, mango, pineapple, grapefruit, bell peppers, broccoli, kale, spinach, asparagus and brussels sprouts.

Yellow and orange coloured fruits tend to be high in vitamin C as well as your green leafy vegetables. Remember it’s important to soak them all with some white vinegar or baking soda to help remove the chemicals and fertilizers residue.

Along with vitamin C, our immune system needs a few other key vitamins and minerals to ensure its working effectively. These include vitamin D, zinc, B12, B6, folate, iron copper and selenium.

Southstream has a wide range of fresh produce for you to include in your next shop.

Want to find out more or ask a question? Click Here to get in touch with Chrissy.