Plants:
Partners in
Health?
Vegetables, Fruits,
Herbs, and You
by: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Is there anything more delicious and nutritious than
vine-ripened tomatoes, just-harvested peaches and
corn, or fresh herbs and spices? Growing your own
edible plants—whether in a backyard garden or a few
pots on your windowsill—can be fun, rewarding, and
healthful. If you share your garden’s bounty with friends
and neighbors, you might even expand your social
connections and spread the health around.
get outside, get active, and sit less, which might help to
also help to improve your diet if you eat more fruits and
vegetables. They’re especially delicious, with a more
essential vitamins and minerals. Research has shown
that eating fruits and vegetables as part of an overall
healthy diet can reduce your risk for long-term diseases,
such as heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
constipation and normalize your bowel movements.
Fruits and vegetables may also help reduce your calorie
intake—especially if they’re replacing high-calorie, highfat
foods—to help you control your weight. Herbs can
adding calories.
Gardening might enhance your mental health as well.
Some studies have found that being physically active
in natural environments—or even simple exposure
to nature—can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and
and digging into the dirt can increase physical activity
and give one a feeling of well-being and a sense of
for edible plants. Some studies have found that kids
involved with gardening programs tend to make
healthier food choices, eat more fruits and vegetables,
and have improved social skills.
enjoy eating the fruits and vegetables they’ve grown
themselves. And they may like eating the foods they
Cancer survivors who took up gardening in a small NIHfunded
study tended to have increased physical activity
and vegetable intake, along with improved strength and
endurance.
If you think you don’t have space for a backyard garden,
can also try growing hanger tomatoes, which can be
2018. February - 30 - vervemagazines.com
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