Healthy Diet Essay

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As health problems continue to increase in our society, learning to take care of oneself, both physically and emotionally, is the most beneficial life skill to living a long healthy life. Nourishing the body with vitamins and minerals is vital to providing energy, keeping the muscles moving, the heart beating, and the brain active. Many health issues can be prevented through lifestyle decisions, such as implementing a healthier diet. Addressing eating patterns can help increase productivity, enhance one’s mood prevent diseases. A key component in facilitating weight loss, decreasing cardiovascular problems, and reducing the risk of cancer, is the consumption of a nutrient-dense and plant-based diet.
Obesity is a large burden worldwide as “2.1 …show more content…

Lifestyle factors, specifically dietary patterns are crucial in causing or preventing this terrible disease since nutritional factors “have been thought to account for about 30% of cancers in Western countries, making diet secondly to tobacco as a preventable cause of cancer” (Bali, Meneses, & Demark-Wahnefried, 2016). Risks of esophagus, breast, colorectal and stomach cancers can be averted by reducing the intake of alcohol, non-smoking, physical activity and eating a diet consisting of “at least 400 g/d of total fruits and vegetables” (Bali, Meneses, & Demark-Wahnefried, 2016). Additionally, eating an abundance of fibers and calcium increases the speed of food digestion, while lessening the amount of carcinogen being absorbed. Ultimately, this can minimize the chances of cancer. In contrast, a study comparing the diet of cancer patients reveals that an animal-based diet, specifically high in red meat, sugar, fat, and salt may contribute to colorectal cancer due to “carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds in the colon” (Bali, Meneses, & Demark-Wahnefried, 2016). Furthermore, lowering the amounts of micronutrients and hot drinks, minimizing alcohol consumption, and reducing intakes of salt lessens the risks of oral, liver and stomach cancer. Overall, eating a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and essential nutrients have the capacity to prevent and decrease the risk of

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