Healthy Plants: Vegetables

"Kids, eat your veggies!"

What is the definition of a vegetable?

A vegetable is a plant that is used as food, or the part of a plant, such as a root, stem, or flower, that is used for food.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vegetable

How can you tell between a vegetable and a fruit?

A fruit is a seed-bearing structure that develops from the ovary of a flowering plant, and a vegetable (as stated before) is all the other parts of the plants, such as the stem, leaves, flowers, and roots.

What are some examples of vegetables?

Some examples of vegetables include: celery, asparagus, broccoli, lettuce, radishes, peas, cabbage, carrots, and many more!

What are some specific health benefits?

Celery:

Contains apigenin (currently being studied for its anti-cancer properties), which reduces inflammation and restores immune balance. Also, the University of Maryland Medical Center says that celery seeds help with arthritis, gout, muscle spasms, high blood pressure, colds, flu, and water retention.

Broccoli:

It is known as a good source of Vitamin K and C, folic acid, potassium, and fiber. Vitamin K is essential for the functioning of many proteins involved in blood clotting. Folic acid helps maintain new cells in the body. Vitamin C builds collagen for the formation of tissues and bones and is also an antioxidant.

Carrot:

If broccoli isn’t your thing, carrots are also a good source of fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants. Its orange color comes from beta-carotene which is an antioxidant that is converted to Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A promotes good vision, preventing one’s vision from getting worse. Carrots are also beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels.

Radish:

Radishes help clean out the liver and stomach (detoxifying it). There are a variety of different types of radishes with different health benefits, for example, the black radish (along with its leaves) has been used to combat jaundice because it can get rid of excess bilirubin. Radishes also provide the body with potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and individuals who suffer from hypertension. Red radishes contain Vitamin E, A, C, B6, and K, and its high with antioxidants. They also help keep the body hydrated because of its high water content.

How many vegetables should an individual have in a day?

Is there such a thing as having too many vegetables?

There is such thing as eating too many veggies. Many of the veggies described above have fiber, and even though the body can handle more of the recommended amount (25 grams per day) of fiber, too much can disturb the stomach. For example, the individual could experience digestive distress, gas, bloating, and severe constipation. Also, if your stomach is trying to process all the plants being consumed, other foods become less healthy because the stomach is not properly digesting those other foods. Basically, eating too many veggies can cause the body discomfort and if one consumes too many carotenoids they can alter their skin coloration.