5 Ways Food Can Be Powerful In Life

Food is vital for life. You should consume a wide variety of food regularly to be healthy and active. Each food harbors a plethora of nutrients, and very few foods only contain one nutritional component.

You need food to survive, carry out daily responsibilities, and sustain basic metabolic functions. Notably, without good nutrition, children and young people can’t develop their full potentials, and adults will have difficulty in performing their best in various endeavors. With this in mind, the food you prepare should be safe and rich in all the nutrients to fill your body’s needs. Below is a list of ways food can be powerful in your life.

Facilitates And Maintains Physiological Processes

Food can be a powerful resource through its direct involvement in building and maintaining cell and tissue processes. Nutrients necessary for these functions include, but are not limited to, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and water. Protein-rich food helps maintain the structure of the cells, which direct vital processes. Likewise, minerals like iron, calcium and phosphorus determine and regulate formation of blood and skeletal tissues. To stay healthy, you need to consume the right amount of these essential nutrients, as well as learn more about them.

Moreover, food harbors nutrients that release and sustain energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy utilized by your cells and tissues for functional growth, maintenance, and repair.

Supplies Energy

Food supplies buckets of caloric energy that fuel your body to perform all physiological functions and daily responsibilities. You need energy to think, breathe, walk, and even sleep. To note, you can acquire this energy from carbohydrates, proteins, legumes, and a moderate amount of healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Complex carbohydrates, such as high-fiber cereals, whole-grain breads and pastas, dried beans, and starchy vegetables, are the best type of foods. This type of carbohydrates reduces inflammation, keeps you full for a longer period, helps maintain your blood sugar level, and offers prolonged energy because it’s digested at a gradual, consistent rate.

Regardless, bear in mind that if you eat more food than what your body needs, this energy will be stored in the body as fat. Too much stored fat may lead to an unhealthy weight or obesity.

Builds DNA And Repairs Muscle Tears

Protein is another nutrient that is important for the body. This helps build, maintain, and repair muscles, body organs, and tissues, like your skin, hair, and nails.

Enzymes that control the major metabolic processes related to digestion, breathing, and fighting infection are regulated by protein. Apart from the fact that it helps repair tissues, protein is also responsible in the production of DNA to sustain life.

In addition, food that is rich in protein facilitates in muscle growth for athletes. Muscle development may happen slowly; however, with the right diet, you may be able to witness growth quicker. Small muscle tear stimulates growth, but to complete the process, it requires the aid of protein.  Furthermore, it’s essential to maintain a balance of nutrition and exercise for muscle hypertrophy.

You can find protein in foods such as milk or dairy products, meats, legumes, fish, tofu, Greek yogurt, eggs, and the like. Whole foods have high-quality sources of protein and are most recommended compared to taking supplements.

Regulatory And Protective Function

Foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals have regulatory functions in the body, such as normal heart beat maintenance, water balance, and body temperature. Likewise, vitamins found in fruits, vegetables, and supplements are responsible for nearly all physiological processes, such as growth, vision, skin health, formation of proper teeth, and good digestion. Deficiency of these essential nutrients may result in certain sicknesses or chronic illnesses.

In addition, your body is composed of 60% water. This is responsible for regulating a wide range of processes, such as digestion, excretion, maintenance of body temperature, and electrolyte balance. However, your body constantly loses water due to perspiration, urine secretion, and regular physiological functions, such as breathing. For this reason, it’s essential to replenish it daily to stay healthy, focused, and productive.

For adults, the general recommendation from The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is about:

• 5 cups (2.7 liters) a day for women
• 5 cups (3.7 liters) a day for men

Notably, you may acquire approximately 20% of fluid from the food you consume every day.

Moreover, your body needs some stored fat in order to provide insulation and to protect your vital organs. Fat tissue is also a storehouse for fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat contains fatty acids, which are essential as they play a crucial role in maintaining balance and controlling the performance of your body. Fatty acids also protect each cell and help regulate processes like blood clotting and immune function.

Specific fatty acids called mono- and polyunsaturated fats may lower your risk for heart disease. For this reason, it would be excellent to replace your usual consumption of saturated fats with these healthy ones. To guide you, take note that these healthy fats can easily be found in foods like avocado, olive oil, and almonds. On the other hand, polyunsaturated fats can be found in salmon, walnuts, and sunflower seeds.

Social Function Of Food

Apart from its physiological function, food plays a significant role in social gatherings. Food is served nearly in all social events. Likewise, sharing a meal with another person may express social acceptance, friendship, and respect.

Moreover, food is a medium through which people usually express happiness. For instance, celebrations and gatherings take place during birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays, and other occasions. During these feasts, food serves as a powerful way of establishing and developing social rapport.

Despite varying cultures with unique food habits, in general, food serves to please visitors, provide comfort, and secure love and attention.

Summing It Up

Food is a powerful resource that’s vital for survival. Considering its significance, it’s essential to incorporate a wide variety of healthy foods to stay healthy. It doesn’t only supply the needed nutrients to facilitate bodily processes, but food also supports social purposes. It brings people together to enjoy and create wonderful memories.