We all know that food can impact an individual's health to a lot of extent. The concept of "Food as
medicine" is basically grounded on the fact that "eating correct food can act as a medicine." What
we eat has a direct influence on our physical as well as mental health. Not only correct food, but also
consuming food in correct quantity matters. It becomes imperative to have a balanced diet along
with the correct level of calorie intake maintained for everyday because if not maintained it can lead
to disorders like obesity.
Obesity is a disorder which can promote other age-related disorders like diabetes, some cancers and
heart diseases. Food can impact the vital organs of body like heart, brain and bones. It is very
important to maintain these vital organs of the body in order to maintain a sound mental and
physical health. For this, it is very important to know about the correct amount and type of nutrients
for these organs.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are known to promote heart health. The fibre content of
vegetables and legumes can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Vitamin B12 deficiency
is linked to loss of memory and Alzheimer's diseases in older people, implying its importance for
brain health. Proteins are the building blocks of muscles and so inclusion of protein in diet is very
important. Consuming a diet rich in calcium and having sufficient supply of Vitamin D is very
important for good bone health. These are the basic nutrients which are required for a balanced diet
and hence a healthier life. These food choices can ultimately have an impact on life expectance.
Research indicates that eating a diet rich in legumes, whole grains and nuts and reducing the
consumption of red and processed meat can effectively increase life expectancy.
Every individual needs to have an optimized diet in order to have a long and healthy life. These food
choices can help to add more healthy years to one's life. The awareness regarding optimized and
correct food choices should be included in early years of life to have the maximum benefit.