We all know that we're supposed to eat more fruit and veg, but why is that? With busy lives and an overwhelming amount of choice, it can be daunting to try and get a decent variety of fruit and veg into our diet every day. Don't worry - our nutritionists are here to explain why plants are so important in our diet, and to tell you how to easily get more plant-based goodness in your life.
Why do we need to eat plants?
Plants naturally contain everything the human body needs to thrive, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients (natural plant compounds that help prevent diseases in humans), proteins, and fibre.
A diet with a high intake of fresh produce can result in more energy, a positive state of mind, better skin, better digestion (due to the fibre content), lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and weight loss (as most fruit and veg are low in fat and calories). There is evidence that people who eat at least 5 portions of fruit and veg a day have a reduced risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, and early death* which is believed to be in part because of their anti-inflammatory properties.
* NHS: Eatwell Guide & Imperial College London: ‘Eating more fruit and veg may prevent millions of premature deaths’
Which plants should you eat?
The best advice is to eat a rainbow! Your diet should contain a variety of fruit and veg for maximum nutritional balance, and one easy way to do that is to pick a colourful selection for each meal or snack.
The colours of different fruit and veg are due to the natural compounds (phytochemicals) in them. According to the British Heart Foundation, many of these phytochemicals are antioxidants (natural chemicals that are thought to protect against harmful substances called free radicals), and diets rich in foods that contain these, like fruits and vegetables, are associated with lower levels of cardiovascular disease.
Each of the natural compounds in different colours of fruit and veg are thought to bring different benefits. For example, red fruits contain lycopene which is reported to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol, and yellow and orange fruits and vegetables contain beta-carotene which our bodies use to help make hormones and keep our eyes healthy.
But aren’t vitamin pills just as effective?
The general consensus among scientists, nutritionists, and medical professionals is that vitamin pills or powders are no substitute for eating a variety of fruit and vegetables.
Most popular vitamin and mineral supplements provide no health benefit for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke.**
They don’t contain natural compounds such as fibre, which aids digestion and helps prevent bowel cancer.
They can contain synthetic vitamins which are scientifically proven not to deliver the nutritional equivalent of eating fresh fruit and veg. Not only that, but they can also contain powders, anti-caking agents, preservatives, flavourings, and processing aids.
New innovations in nutrition
If all of this talk of getting more fruit and veg into your diet every day makes you feel tired at the thought of all that shopping and preparation, don’t despair!
Instead of reaching for vitamin pills to support your body’s nutritional needs, a new generation of plant-based snacks is emerging that promise to give us the benefits of fresh fruit and veg without the fuss. But beware - not all plant-based supplements are equal - research any products you come across to make sure that the raw ingredients are fresh and varied, that there are no hidden artificial nasties, and that the nutrition will be ‘bioavailable’ to your body (more on that later).
The latest innovations in food technology mean that it is possible to capture all of the goodness of fresh produce in a supplement - our PLANT MADE superfood supplements are loved by our customers for their on-the-go convenience, and their delicious taste and crunchy texture. Find out more in the links at the bottom of this page!
Bioavailability - what is it and why is it important?
‘Bioavailability’ is the ability of a substance to be absorbed and used by the body. In terms of nutrition, the more ‘bioavailable’ the vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds are, the better our bodies can absorb and use them, so the greater the positive impact on our health and wellbeing.
In essence, it’s not just what you eat that’s important, it’s how easily your body can use it that counts.
For example, the innovative process used to create the PLANT MADE superfood supplements retains the raw 'food state' of the fresh produce, which means that vitamins, antioxidants, and plant compounds are kept intact and are highly ‘bioavailable’ for use by your body. One study showed that the vitamin C in the PLANT MADE superfood supplements was 1210% more bioavailable than isolated ascorbic acid!
Forget vitamin and mineral pills and powders - our nutritionists recommend PLANT MADE superfood supplements made from 100% fresh fruit and veg
