We all know that eating and drinking are crucial for the healthy functioning of the body, but do you know why? Do you know what kind of nutrients your body can absorb from food and drink? Unless you’re especially interested in biology or nutrition, you probably have only a vague idea of what our bodies do with all the food, so let’s discover all the secrets together.
In order to improve your diet, the best idea is to eat a wide variety of ingredients and liquids. This way, your body will absorb all that it needs. The following nutrients (protein, fats, carbs, vitamins, minerals, and water) are the most important. So let’s see how the body absorbs them and how it puts them to good use:
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Protein
Proteins are one of the most important elements for healthy body functioning. They provide the organism with amino acids that encourage the creation of new cells, reparation of old cells and creation of hormones and enzymes. Proteins also keep your immune system strong and ready to defend the body from all sorts of outside evils.
Proteins give your body amino acids — the building blocks that help your body’s cells do all of their everyday activities. Proteins help your body build new cells, repair old cells, create hormones and enzymes, and keep your immune system healthy. If you don’t have enough protein, your body takes longer to recover from illness and you’re more likely to get sick in the first place. During treatment for breast cancer, some people may need more protein than usual. Good sources of protein are lean meat, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products, as well as nuts, dried beans, peas, and lentils.
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Fats
Fats have a very bad reputation. Too much fat can indeed cause issues in your body and even result in serious health problems like obesity and clogged arteries. However, fat, in certain amounts, is crucial for the healthy functioning of the body. Fatty acids from fat are crucial for the growth and production of new cells and hormones. Certain fats are also included in the transport of vitamins through the body. For instance, vitamins A, D, E, and K can be dissolved in fat, so in order to be absorbed by the body and stored properly, they need access to fat.
Another reason why humans need fat is the fact that this component protects internal organs from all sorts of trauma. Plus, fat is stored all around the body, being preserved to become energy in the future. If you need to take in many calories in little time, fats are a great solution because they have concentrated calories. But this can be a two-edged sword if you’re not careful with your fat intake.
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Vitamins and minerals
You probably know you need vitamins and minerals, but why are these mysterious elements so important? Well, vitamins help maintain the health and strength of your bones, vision, skin, nails, and hair. If you want to look fresh and youthful, vitamins are crucial for your look, but also the health of your body. Minerals, on the other hand, are in charge of various bodily processes. For instance, calcium makes your teeth and bones strong, iron enriches you with oxygen and potassium feeds your brain.
For people who eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods and plenty of calories, there is a great chance that you’re taking in enough vitamins and minerals. However, in case you have some health issues or can’t eat certain foods, you might want to consider supplementation. Luckily, today you can find effective amp supplements that are natural and super effective in boosting your immune system. These supplements are made from aloe vera which is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and many other active components that can improve your immunity and digestion.
Remember that taking vitamins and minerals directly from food is the best way to feed your body, but natural supplements come a close second. For people who don’t have access to certain foods or can’t consume them due to dietary restrictions or allergies, supplements are the best way to maintain the healthy functioning of the body!
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Carbs
Just like fat, carbohydrates also have a bad reputation that is only partially deserved. Carbs are crucial to the body because they provide us with quick energy. Carbs get dissolved quickly, are absorbed into the blood, and turned into blood sugar we need for fuel. The rest of the glucose turns into fat.
Many great sources of carbohydrates like fruits, veggies, and lentils are also very rich in fiber (it’s a win-win situation because fibers are crucial for healthy digestion). On the other hand, sugars, honey, pasta, potatoes, etc. are also carbs, but not the great kind. These carbs have a lot of calories and very few other benefits (almost no vitamins and minerals). So when choosing the right type of carbs to eat, focus on fruits, veggies, and whole grains as the right type of carbs.
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Hydration
Water is the source of all life, therefore, it’s necessary for good health. This drink makes up more than 50% of the human body, while also regulating body temperature, nutrient transport, and waste disposal. Losing a lot of fluids or not taking enough fluids throughout the day can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can be mild (causing dizziness, brain fog, and tiredness) and severe (can even result in death). In some cases, people who go through certain treatments and end up with diarrhea or vomiting can often suffer from dehydration. Through the loss of water, the body also loses minerals and vitamins necessary for a healthy organism.
According to experts, it’s best to drink between 6 and 10 glasses of water per day, even more if you exercise, sweat, or experience any other fluid loss. In case you’ve lost fluids due to some health issues, it’s necessary to rehydrate with not only water but also minerals and vitamins. For instance, a good hydration solution is a broth, fruit juices, tomato juices, and sports drinks with minerals.
As you can see, your body needs all the aforementioned elements in order to function properly. Through a good diet, hydration and supplementation, you can allow your body access to all it needs!
