Our eating habits have a profound effect on our overall health. Food plays an important role in preventing, managing and sometimes even reversing the disease condition. Nutrients from food play a protective role and thus they may have medicinal effect on the human body. 

Food choices, mindful or mindless eating habits, lifestyle habits & environmental factors have an influence on the biochemistry and physiology of a human body. Food, alone cannot make a difference until one decides to change holistically. 

Following are the different reasons a food nourishes & improves overall health:-

Consuming whole nutritious, combination of raw and cooked food can synergistically create a positive impact on our health. 

1.  Vitamins and minerals – Food especially vegetables and fruits contains vitamins and minerals. Although our body needs them in small amounts, they play a vital role in immune defense mechanism, oxidative stress, biochemical reactions and to prevent any nutritional deficiencies. 

Inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals can disturb bodily function resulting in disease condition.  

2. Fiber – Insoluble and soluble fiber both plays an important role in gut health and related conditions. It not only promotes proper digestion but also eliminates toxins and feeds beneficial bacteria in our stomach. Consuming whole grains, vegetables, whole fruits, and beans has shown to decrease inflammation and increase immunity. 

3. Omega 3 fatty acids – Omega 3 fats are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces inflammation of the body. It can be beneficial for inflammatory diseases like cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. A good source of omega 3 includes walnuts, flax seeds, oily fish, nuts and seeds, etc. 

4. Antioxidants - Nutritious foods, including vegetables, fruits, beans, and grains, contains numerous beneficial compounds, such as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect cells from damage that may otherwise lead to disease. It helps in fight free radical damage, oxidative stress, improves immune mechanism, improves brain and mental health, and supports healthy aging, eye health. Examples include anthocyanin, beta-carotene, tocopherol, linoleic acid, lycopene, catechins, polyphenols and flavanoids. 

5. Protein – Every cell, tissues, hormone & enzymes are protein in nature. Hence, consuming protein rich foods can enhance immune health, muscle synthesis, growth and development. Consuming beans, pulses, legumes, nuts and seeds, milk and milk products, soy, chicken, eggs, fish can enhance overall health. 

6. Probiotics/ Prebiotics – Probiotic are the active bacterial cultures and prebiotics are the food for prebiotics. It regulates and improves gut health. It reduces digestive issues such as bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, etc. Asparagus, garlic, onion, banana are the source of p[prebiotics while yoghurt, kimchi, kombutcha, miso, sauerkraut and fermented & germinated foods are the sources of prebiotics. 

   
   

   Combination of functional foods can enhance their absorption in the body and also increases nutritional value and provides numerous health benefits. 

   Thus, food if taken in right proportion and recommended dosage can prevent, manage or even reverse disease conditions.