Why Do We Need To Eat Healthy - Essay Example

Healthy eating does not in any way mean any sort of diet; it actually refers to the proper intake of healthy foods like meat, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, whole grains etc in balanced proportions. All these will provide us with the required amount of carbohydrates, fats and vitamins and minerals and never induce any health problem when taken moderately. Firstly, there is a need to eat healthy to avoid serious diseases. Regardless of the age, healthy eating habits have a crucial impact on our health.

Long standing studies have established a definite link between diet and cardiovascular diseases. Cases of coronary heart disease are on the rise and the cardiovascular morbidity figures are staggering. Studies have made it clear the high amount of fat intake, particularly LDL or low density lipoprotein and triglycerides, increases the chances of developing coronary diseases like atherosclerosis. On the other hand a diet that provides you with a good amount of HDL can help decrease the cholesterol levels in the body.

High fiber grains can help lower chances of heart disease and type 2 diabetes ( F.B Hu and Willet, 2002).Decrease in cholesterol levels itself has a lot of good impact on the body- chances of CVD (cardio vascular diseases) are lowered, blood sugar and hyper tension problems are also controlled. Dietary fat also increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer like breast cancer, esophageal, stomach and prostate cancer and has been supported by animal studies too. Most forms of cancers, have been linked to obesity and lack of proper nutrition and according to the National Cancer Institute, most of these cancer forms are preventable.

Immunity is one of the basic tools for survival. Humans are immune to many pathogens simply because of the presence of white blood cells like NK cells in the body, which engulf the antigen and protect the body from harm. In case human did not have this immunity barrier, they would become vulnerable to all diseases and may even die owing to even small and minor infections. The key to a strong immune system is an intake of healthy diet. Colas, pizzas, burgers do not increase immunity in anyway.

But intake of healthy foods like vegetables and fruits provides beta-carotene which in turn strengthens the body. In recent studies cancer experts have also found out that healthy eating and strong immunity also prevent development of certain cancers. There are a number of diseases that are caused due to nutritional deficiencies. Nutritional deficiencies occur when proper balanced food is not ingested. Beriberi, pellagra, scurvy, rickets, Ariboflavinosis, Skin diseases, Hypocobalaminemia, Paraesthesia and night blindness are some of the diseases related to vitamin deficiency.

Painful chronic Gouty arthritis is another dreadful disease caused by bad eating habits. Deficiency of essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium etc leads to diseases. If proper healthy habits are not developed a person will from health problems Scientific studies have shown that our mental health also depends on dietary factors. Minor depression, major depression, psychotic depression, traumatic disorders, stress disorders, compulsive behaviors, and anxiety are some of the mental problems that haunt a person.

Though most of these diseases depend on genetic, biological and psychological factors but studies have determined that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids ,release serotonins in the brain which in turn elevates mood.