Vegetables contain lots of vitamins and nutrients which are important to keep you healthy and in good shape. You have a choice to eat them cooked or raw. There are studies that show that eating raw vegetables is better than eating them cooked. This is because the nutrients inside these vegetables are untouched by outside elements such as heat and mixing with other ingredients. Besides, if you want to maintain your weight, the raw vegetables are the best foods to eat without necessarily sacrificing the nutritional value you get from them.

There are common vegetables eaten raw. Carrots for one are a very good source of beta carotene, which is a kind of antioxidant which fights free radicals. The garlic has antibiotic compounds which helps boost the immune system, prevents colds and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It also helps prevent fungal and yeast infections. The dark leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and collards contain calcium, help form red cells and help prevent birth defects. These also help in reducing the risk of heart disease. The sweet potatoes contain foliate, iron, potassium, as well as beta carotene and vitamins C and E. They help boost the immune system and considered as rich antioxidants.

Raw vegetables are very rich in minerals, vitamins, trace elements, enzymes and natural sugars. All of these are essential to your body needs to function properly. The raw vegetables will help stabilize and normalize your natural bodily functions. The enzymes in raw vegetables help in digesting food because they get the stomach to function properly. That’s why at time health buffs refer to raw vegetables as "nature’s laxative".

Raw vegetables have vitamins like vitamin C which is a strong antioxidant and helps the body system to be resistant to infections. This vitamin also helps keep the teeth and gums healthy. It also aids in iron absorption and helps heal and cure wounds easily. The other vitamin present in raw vegetables is the vitamin E, which helps keep the circulatory system healthy and functional as it prevents blood clotting and speeds up healing of wounds. The vitamin A, on the other hand, keeps eyes and skin healthy and helps protect against infections. The vitamin B helps in forming red blood cells and helps keep the brain and the nervous system function well. This vitamin helps maintain emotional balance and helps build up the immune system against infections.

Raw vegetables do not contain cholesterol. Their dietary fiber helps you reduce constipation. They may help reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary heart disease; help maintain healthy blood pressure; protect against certain cancers; reduce the risk of developing kidney stones; may decrease bone loss; and, reduce calorie and fat intake and increase a feeling of fullness if you are watching your weight. These reasons are more than enough to really appreciate raw vegetables in your diet.

Jason Ladock

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