Nutrition in the Food We Eat
The nutritious food we chose to eat when trying to eat a healthy diet may not be as nutritious as we would wish.
Despite that, vegetables are still a healthy choice and eating a good variety should be at the top of anyone's list for maintaining a diet designed for optimum health.
One big reason for the loss of nutrition is the development of hybrid species that are designed to grow faster and larger.
Each new crop of these faster growing vegetables diminishes the nutrients in the soil so that each new crop has fewer nutrients than the one before it.
A landmark study published in 2004 studied nutritional data from 1950 and 1999 for 43 different fruits and vegetables.
They found declines in the in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century.
It is reasonable to expect that the levels of trace minerals and important vitamins that were not measured in 1950, magnesium, zinc and vitamins B-6 and E have had similar declines.
These results have been supported by similar studies.
Shipping and storage of produce also has an impact on the nutrient value of fruits and vegetables.
Much of our produce is harvested and shipped to places around the country.
Refrigeration is generally maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit; at this temperature produce will lose much of its nutrients in about 8 days, at higher temperatures the loss is faster.
This loss is irreversible.
What is left of the nutrients in our produce is further depleted by the way it is prepared.
Canning, freezing, and cooking each take some percent of the nutrients away.
The heating process for canned foods can destroy up to 94% of the nutrients.
Freezing produce can destroy up to 83% of the nutrients.
Cooking fresh vegetables can destroy up to 56% of the nutrients.
In light of these studies, it's no wonder the incidence of chronic illness has exploded.
The CDC reports that poor nutrition is one of the top four modifiable behaviors leading to chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
There are several things that you can do to improve your nutrition.
Grow your own vegetables, buy organic, or buy fresh vegetables and eat them within 2-3 days.
Do some research on the internet to learn to cook and prepare foods to retain the most nutrients.
You should also take supplements.
One of the most complete supplements comes from the Moringa Oliefera Tree.
This is a fast growing tree which can provide nearly all nutritional needs all by itself.
It is called the Miracle Tree because nearly every part of it can be used for food, fuel, fertilizer, and medicine.
Nutritionally, Moringa provides 3x the iron of spinach, the same protein as in eggs, 4x more Vitamin A than carrots, 4x more calcium than milk, 3x the potassium of bananas, and 7x more Vitamin C than orange juice.
It also contains all of the essential amino acids and some of the others as well.
It's medicinal properties are even more impressive.
Current research, consisting of many highly reputable medical, science, and globally recognized health institutions, suggests that Moringa Oliefera possesses numerous therapeutic properties for proper health.
Among these institutions are Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, and the National Institutes of Health.
Despite that, vegetables are still a healthy choice and eating a good variety should be at the top of anyone's list for maintaining a diet designed for optimum health.
One big reason for the loss of nutrition is the development of hybrid species that are designed to grow faster and larger.
Each new crop of these faster growing vegetables diminishes the nutrients in the soil so that each new crop has fewer nutrients than the one before it.
A landmark study published in 2004 studied nutritional data from 1950 and 1999 for 43 different fruits and vegetables.
They found declines in the in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century.
It is reasonable to expect that the levels of trace minerals and important vitamins that were not measured in 1950, magnesium, zinc and vitamins B-6 and E have had similar declines.
These results have been supported by similar studies.
Shipping and storage of produce also has an impact on the nutrient value of fruits and vegetables.
Much of our produce is harvested and shipped to places around the country.
Refrigeration is generally maintained at 40 degrees Fahrenheit; at this temperature produce will lose much of its nutrients in about 8 days, at higher temperatures the loss is faster.
This loss is irreversible.
What is left of the nutrients in our produce is further depleted by the way it is prepared.
Canning, freezing, and cooking each take some percent of the nutrients away.
The heating process for canned foods can destroy up to 94% of the nutrients.
Freezing produce can destroy up to 83% of the nutrients.
Cooking fresh vegetables can destroy up to 56% of the nutrients.
In light of these studies, it's no wonder the incidence of chronic illness has exploded.
The CDC reports that poor nutrition is one of the top four modifiable behaviors leading to chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.
There are several things that you can do to improve your nutrition.
Grow your own vegetables, buy organic, or buy fresh vegetables and eat them within 2-3 days.
Do some research on the internet to learn to cook and prepare foods to retain the most nutrients.
You should also take supplements.
One of the most complete supplements comes from the Moringa Oliefera Tree.
This is a fast growing tree which can provide nearly all nutritional needs all by itself.
It is called the Miracle Tree because nearly every part of it can be used for food, fuel, fertilizer, and medicine.
Nutritionally, Moringa provides 3x the iron of spinach, the same protein as in eggs, 4x more Vitamin A than carrots, 4x more calcium than milk, 3x the potassium of bananas, and 7x more Vitamin C than orange juice.
It also contains all of the essential amino acids and some of the others as well.
It's medicinal properties are even more impressive.
Current research, consisting of many highly reputable medical, science, and globally recognized health institutions, suggests that Moringa Oliefera possesses numerous therapeutic properties for proper health.
Among these institutions are Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control, and the National Institutes of Health.
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