Page 25 - The Regent Digest Volume 12 Issue 23

Vitamins and minerals in fruit
and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins

and minerals that are good for your health.
Many of these are antioxidants, and may re-

duce the risk of many diseases:
• vitamin A (beta-carotene)

• vitamin C
• vitamin E

• magnesium
Why take • zinc

• phosphorous
Fruits & ruit and vegetables should be an import- • folic acid.

ant part of your daily diet. They are natu- Folic acid can reduce blood levels of homo-
Vegetables F rally good and contain vitamins and min- cysteine, a substance that may be a risk factor
erals that can help to keep you healthy. They can
for coronary heart disease.
also help protect against some diseases.

There are varieties of fruits and vegetables avail-
Research has shown that consuming these
able and many ways to prepare, cook and serve
nutrients as food, within fruits and vegetables,
them.
is more beneficial for health than consuming
The World Health Fruit and vegetables are best bought when they them as supplements.

Organization (WHO) are in season. Otherwise, try frozen or canned Why take fruits and vegetables?
vegetables as they are just as nutritious and

recommends consum- budget-friendly as well. Fruits and vegetables are low in fat, salt and sug-

ing a minimum of 400 You should eat at least 5 servings of vegetables ar. They are good sources of dietary fibre, which
and 2 helpings of fruit each day. Choose differ-
can make you feel fuller for longer and prevent
grams of fruits and ent colours and varieties. overconsumption of food. As part of a well-bal-

anced, healthy diet and an active lifestyle, a high
If you are someone who doesn’t look forward to
vegetables per day eating fruit or vegetables, start slowly with those intake of fruit and vegetables can help to:

you like. Try serving, flavouring or cooking them • Reduce obesity and maintain a healthy

in different ways. You can also disguise them in weight
sauces, minced meals or curries. • Lower cholesterol
Article By
Ifedola Olorunjuwon Opesan • Lower blood pressure and
School Nurse • Protect against diseases.

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