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What are the importance of fruits and vegetables? |
Fruits and vegetables provide many essential vitamins and minerals. Additionally, higher intakes of fruits and vegetables are associated with healthier lives including lower risks of cancer and coronary heart disease. It is recommended that children eat five fruits and vegetables a day. Phytochemicals are substances found in fruit and vegetables that have a beneficial effect on health Some fruit & veg phytochemicals have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Antioxidants help prevent damaging reactions within the human body and have a beneficial effect upon health. By reducing free-radical damage and inflammation, phytochemicals may promote heart health, and reduce the risk of neuro-degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Many studies also show that some plant phytochemicals they slow or prevent the growth of some cancer cells. Scientists recently found that a substance called indole-3-carbinol, which slows down the growth of breast cancer cells. This substance is found in vegetables like broccoli, kale and cabbage. |