Is a Vegetable based diet beneficial to our health?
Posted by Mark Hamilton on
Contrary to popular belief in many, Yes, humans can digest vegetables. Digestion is the process by which the body breaks down food into smaller, absorbable nutrients that can be used for energy, growth, and repair. Vegetables are an important part of the human diet and provide essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and carbohydrates.
The digestion of vegetables begins in the mouth, where chewing breaks down the food into smaller pieces and mixes it with saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that start breaking down carbohydrates. From there, the partially digested vegetables move into the stomach, where they are further broken down by stomach acid and digestive enzymes.
In the small intestine, the majority of nutrient absorption takes place. The small intestine secretes various enzymes that help break down the carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in vegetables into their constituent molecules, such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream and used by the body.
While humans can digest vegetables, some parts of certain vegetables, like the tough cellulose in plant cell walls, are not fully digestible. I think this is where some of the misunderstanding comes in when thinking we cannot digest vegetables or absorb their nutrients efficiently. However this cellulose does have its benefits also.
This indigestible fiber (Cellulose) provides bulk to the stool and supports healthy digestion by promoting regular bowel movements. Fiber is important for maintaining digestive health and can also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of certain diseases and helping to control blood sugar levels.
Slightly cooking Vegetables will break them down more and make them easier to digest but my main point would be to eat organic wherever possible.
If you don't eat vegetables or fruit and want to supplement your diet then consider taking Terranova Life Drink every day - it is amazing.