How growing your own food can benefit your physical and mental health.
Growing your own vegetables is a simple solution to many health problems. Whether it is a single tomato plant or a backyard garden, it is beneficial to your health.
The benefits of growing your own vegetables include:
- Nutrition
Home grown vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. When food is in its freshest form its not only the tastiest way to enjoy it, but also the most nutritional. The majority of vegetables sold in grocery stores are harvested before they are ripe, lacking peak nutrient content. Once distributed, the produce can end up staying in storage or on the shelf for long periods of time before being purchased, losing additional nutritional value.
2. Immune Health
Immune health is improved by doing more than just consuming a single serving of a vitamin C-rich food every once in a while. It requires eating an abundance of immune boosting vitamins and minerals on a regular basis, particularly foods rich in Vitamin C, E, and B6, Iron and Zinc. Examples include:
- Vitamin C – citrus fruits, dark leafy green such as spinach and kale, bell peppers, brussel sprouts and strawberries
- Vitamin E – almonds, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, and avocado
- Vitamin B6 – chickpeas, potatoes, salmon, tuna, and chicken
- Iron – beans, peas, dark green vegetables, beef, poultry, raisins, and store-bought whole grain foods like cereals
- Zinc – seafood, beans, peas, chicken, whole grains including store bought cereals
3. Exercise
Gardening is an enjoyable way to get outside for fresh air and physical activity. It promotes improved cardiac health and immune system response, decreased heart rate and stress, improved motor skills, flexibility and body strength. It also can relieve stress, anxiety and depression, while boosting energy.
4. Increased Vitamin D
Being outdoors is a great way to increase vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D is absorbed from the sun and is crucial in order to maintain healthy bones and teeth, and it can also protect against certain diseases.
5. Save Money
You can save money by growing your own vegetables and fruits. By spending a few dollars on seeds, plants, and supplies, you will produce vegetables that will yield pounds of produce. This money saving benefit can decrease stress as it frees up money for other purchases.