Humankind is facing an epidemic of diet-related chronic disease. According to the World Health Organisation, one out of every five deaths is the result of poor diet and nutrition. This beats even the mortality statistics related to smoking.

What we eat has a profound effect on our overall state of health. While certain eating habits can trigger a variety of health conditions, others offer incredible medicinal properties.

This makes for a strong argument for why food can be used as medicine.

Below are just some of the foods that can have a real impact on the human body.

Minerals And Vitamins

While it’s true that the human body requires only small amounts of minerals and vitamins, these are super important for physical and mental well-being.

Typical Western diets, which usually consist mainly of processed foods, are lacking in minerals and vitamins. Eating a diet high in processed foods and low in wholesome nutrition can bring about a high risk of chronic disease.

A diet low in minerals and vitamins can lead to various types of cancers, heart disease, and even a poor immune system.

Great sources of vitamins and minerals include green leafy vegetables such as brussel sprouts, spinach, and broccoli, citrus fruits, red and green peppers, and berries like strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries.

Fiber

The importance of fiber should not be underestimated. It is an essential part of any whole and healthy diet.

Fiber enhances the proper digestion of all foods and is important for overall gut-health as it creates healthy bacteria.

A diet that is low in fiber will eventually lead to an increased risk of stroke and colon cancer.

Foods that are high in fiber include beans, grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Healthy Fats And Protein

Healthy fats are important as they help the body to absorb a variety of vitamins – including vitamins E, D, A and K.

Protein, on the other hand, is found all throughout the body. Protein makes up the enzymes that power several chemical processes in the body and helps it to manufacture hormones.

The benefits of combining healthy fats with a diet high in protein have been well-documented. Healthy fats such as seeds, oils and nuts help the body to boost a higher thermic effect of food (TEF).

What’s more, a diet consisting of healthy fats and protein helps us feeling much fuller for longer, which is essential to maintaining a healthy weight.

Other benefits include:

• Great energy levels
• Boosted brain health
• Sustainable weight loss
• Repair following illness or injury
• A reduced risk of heart disease

Sources of healthy protein include lentils, spirulina, quinoa, almonds, and chia seeds.

Healthy fat sources include avocados, olives, nuts, and peanut butter – all of which make great snacks when playing online slots.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are crucial for physical and mental health, as these protect our cells from damage that would otherwise easily lead to chronic disease.

Studies have shown that people who follow diets that are rich in antioxidants have notably lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and even depression.

Great sources of antioxidants include beans, grains, and vegetables.