High plant diets are considered healthy because of the range of nutrients found in edible plant tissues. On a basic level, plants contains vitamins, which they synthesised by plant for their own use. Plant also contain minerals, and the minerals in plants are obtained from the soil. Mineral deficient soil produces mineral deficient plants. Plants also contain secondary metabolites which can include a large group of phytochemicals called polyphenols. Other secondary metabolites include terpenoids, sterols and carotenoids. Many of these metabolites have general antioxidant effects which can protect from disease. In addition, certain plants contain specific nutrients that may have specific health effects. For example, the ginsenosides in ginseng may allow animals and humans to adapt more easily to stress. Plants then are a very varied and rich source of essential and non essential nutrients, which explains the benefits of a high plant diet. Consuming a range of plants is therefore a recommended nutritional strategy for optimal health.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB
