In many ways, our bodies are very similar to plants. Place a plant in soil with enough nutrients and water, and the plant will grow and thrive.
Like it or not, our bodies react pretty much in a similar way. Not only does our current environment affect how we feel, but so does what we eat — or don’t eat. And since the level of obese adults has tripled since 1975 worldwide, what we consume has become a concern for more and more people.
But how does our food affect us? Here is an easy overview with some answers to that question.
Mental Health Is Linked With What We Eat
Our gut is a complex network of bacteria and nerve cells. The nerve cells act as messengers to our brain, sending signals on what chemicals to release into our bodies based upon what we eat.
For example, natural, unprocessed foods contain the maximum amount of nutrition. This stimulates the brain and helps it to function at peak capacity. This, in turn, helps ward off mental grogginess and sluggishness.
However, processed, fried, or sugary foods influence our brain in the opposite manner. Chemicals that are not naturally absorbed in our bodies can damage the balance in our gut. And the brain suffers from a lack of nutrition and proper signals being sent from nerve cells.
So what kind of smart foods encourage the brain to thrive? For one, dark green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach that are high in complex vitamins and minerals are a plus. Fruit, whole grains, legumes, and nuts are also complex whole foods that provide the nutrients and protein to nourish our brains.
Sometimes our bodies (and our brains) crave specific nutrients during certain times of our lives more than others. For instance, if a woman is experiencing menopause, certain chemicals in her body are decreasing, creating a need for foods to help balance the process out. Do your research to find out more info for tips on foods that make a process like that a little easier.
Eating Smart Guides Physical Health
Like plants, when we give our body the nutrition it needs, it will grow and operate the way it should.
For example, eating foods containing a lot of processed sugar causes the brain to signal a release of insulin. Insulin handles the absorption of sugar into energy, but too much sugar overwhelms the body’s insulin. Then the sugar gets stored away as fat, which often leads to obesity.
A lot of fat in a body adds a lot of stress, making it harder to function. And if a high-sugar diet is continued for a length of time, the body’s ability to produce the correct amount of insulin fails. You also run the risk of wearing out important organs like the liver that filter our harmful junk out of our bodies.
Watching What We Eat
Keeping an eye on what we eat affects more than just one aspect of our bodies. When we do what we can to provide our body with wholesome and nutrient-filled smart foods, we will thrive.
Looking for more food and drink lifestyle information? Read some of our other articles to learn more!
