Help your health by eating vegetables
You must have been encouraged to eat vegetables because of their many benefits, but some of us may not like to use vegetables with food. Three new studies have determined that a chemical element called nitrate found in vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and celery can help with heart health and reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes.
These three studies have been conducted by researchers from the universities of Cambridge and Southampton, England.
In the first study, led by Dr. Andrew Murray of Cambridge University and published in the journal FASEB, researchers found that high consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables can reduce the production of a hormone called erythropoietin, which is made by the liver and kidneys. to give This hormone regulates the number of red blood cells in the body.
This research group explains that at high altitudes or in cardiovascular diseases, the body is exposed to a lack of oxygen, and in order to increase the body’s oxygen, erythropoietin increases the production of red blood cells.
However, a large number of red blood cells can cause an increase in blood concentration. This means that the body’s organs and tissues are exposed to a lack of oxygen. Because due to the increase in blood concentration, the blood cannot flow in the narrow vessels to reach the organs and tissues.
Now, the group’s research results show that high consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables can thin the blood by reducing the number of red blood cells produced, which can have important health consequences. Dr. Murray says:
We have shown in our research that nitrate in the diet can help to regulate the oxygen reaching the tissues and cells and its use according to the amount of oxygen available and the amount of oxygen needed by the cells. that the body’s cells and tissues have enough oxygen to function without the need to overproduce red blood cells – which can make the blood too thick and pose a threat to health.
Decreasing blood concentration without compromising oxygen delivery to cells can prevent blood clotting and reduce the risk of heart attack.
In addition, the researchers said that their findings could lead to finding better ways to get oxygen to cells, which could help patients in intensive care units recover.
Dietary nitrate protects the body against cardiovascular diseases
The second study, led by Dr. Murray, was recently published in the Journal of Physiology.
In this study, the research team placed mice at high altitudes in order to trigger the high production of red blood cells.
They found that mice fed a nitrate-rich diet were better protected against cardiovascular disease than mice fed a nitrate-free diet, just like people who added little vegetables to their diet.
This is because nitrates increase the production of a compound that causes blood vessels to dilate, and according to research, improves blood flow. More importantly, the researchers found that nitrate protects proteins in heart cells that are critical for heart health.
This research team states: “Nitrate supplements may be useful for people who are exposed to hypobaric hypoxia at high altitudes, or patients who are suffering from tissue oxygen deficiency and energetic disorders such as heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or patients who are in poor health.” be useful.”
Nitrate converts ‘bad’ fat cells into ‘good’ fat cells
In a third study led by Lee Roberts of the University of Cambridge, published in the journal Diabetes, researchers found that nitrate exposes harmful white fat cells to a process called “browning,” and they turns into beige cells (beige color).
Researchers explain that “beige” cells are similar to “good” brown fat cells that burn fat to produce heat. High amounts of brown fat have been associated with a reduced risk of obesity and diabetes, so the research team hypothesizes that adding nitrates to the diet could protect against these diseases.
Based on the findings of these three studies, Dr. Murray states: There are many findings that determine the role of nitrate in lowering blood pressure and regulating the body’s metabolism.
These studies show three other ways in which small changes in diet can significantly reduce people’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity, and reduce the symptoms of cardiovascular disease in order to obtain Healthier life reduce.