What's it about vegetables that makes them a fixture in healthy diet lists and advice. There isn't smoke without fire it is said, and vegetables have enough substance in them to make them popular as health food.

The FDA recently advised that we should have about 5-9 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables in a day, or 3 cups of dark green vegetables per week. Thankfully today we have the FDA to tell us what is good and what is bad. In the ancient times there wasn't an FDA, but I think that during those times it wasn't bad either. This is because our ancestors went about roaming the forests and munching on green vegetables and fruits all day long. Though life must have been physically demanding for them but they survived well. And I believe that they fared well because they ate lots of vegetables in the process!

Vegetables and Vitamins

Today we know that vegetables are a great source of vitamins, provitamins in addition to fiber, dietary minerals, and carbohydrates. Most vitamins are found in vegetables, especially vitamins A, B, C, K & E, and each of these have an important role to play in keeping us healthy. For instance, vitamin B, abundantly found in cantaloupe, carrots and sweet potatoes helps us to make energy and supply it to us when we need it. In addition they also help us in making red blood cells that supply oxygen and help our bodies breathe.

Further, vegetables such as tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage protect us against disease, and are helpful in maintaining healthy gums and muscles. Also these vegetables aid in healing wounds.

Protection from Pollution

Today the whole world is bothered by air pollution, because of its wide ranging effects, right from the depletion of the ozone layer to being a health hazard. But fortunately, green leafy vegetables can protect our lungs from damage by polluted air. Perhaps one of greatest threats from pollution is our exposure to carcinogens or cancer causing agents. Again, vegetables have demonstrated their anti-cancer properties so they may even protect us from cancer.

Vegetables & Weight loss

Last but certainly not the least, vegetables and fruits are also a good diet if you're trying to lose weight. Not only do they provide us with numerous nutrients and benefits but give us a feeling of fullness without supplying unnecessary calories.

The number of known benefits of eating vegetables is large and I've touched upon just a few. Imagine how many more benefits of vegetables might exist about which we still haven't a clue.