In recent years, experts have identified several factors characteristic of the diet that have a direct and often adverse effect on human health: too much salt, too much sugar, too much fat (especially saturated fat) and too little dietary fiber.
Dietary fiber
Fiber is a necessary component of a healthy diet, despite the fact that it is not absorbed by the intestines at all. With the help of indigestible fiber, the digestive system quickly removes toxic substances from the body before they enter the bloodstream. A diet rich in fiber helps the body to have soft and bulky stools. When vegetables and fruits are cooked, the cellulose in their cells is destroyed, so whenever possible, it is better to eat them raw. Processing also destroys fiber: for example, whole grain flour and unpolished rice have higher fiber content than their white, refined equivalents.
Additives
Be that as it may, most foods contain a lot of additives – emulsifiers, stabilizers, dyes, flavorings and some others that make them tastier and help extend the shelf life. No one knows exactly how such additives affect the body, but there are known cases of allergic reactions, hyperactivity in children and other similar problems due to the consumption of food with additives. In some countries, the use of emulsifiers, stabilizers, etc. are prohibited, but in most cases they are still allowed by law. None of the additives will benefit your health, so you won’t do yourself any harm if you completely eliminate them from your diet.
Caffeine
Coffee, tea, cocoa and some other drinks contain caffeine. It is considered a stimulant, it causes insomnia and tachycardia. It is also a diuretic. Some people develop an emotional dependence on caffeine. Experts recommend reducing caffeine intake and drinking no more than five cups of coffee (or other caffeinated beverages) per day. Try replacing coffee with caffeine-free drinks or herbal tea.
Fats
Cholesterol is a fatty substance that must always be present in the blood. A certain amount of cholesterol is needed by the body, but if it accumulates too much, fatty deposits appear on the walls of the arteries, which impair the functioning of the vessels. To reduce the level of cholesterol in your blood, in addition to hypolipidemic drugs (for example, Simvastatin Mylan or Ezetimibe Sandoz), you need to reduce the amount of fat in your diet. In addition, an excessive amount of fat in the diet is one of the main causes of obesity: by reducing the proportion of fat, you can reduce your weight. In addition to reducing total dietary fat, experts recommend replacing saturated fat and foods high in saturated fat with unsaturated.
Salt
In many products, salt is present as a natural component. It is necessary for life, but the body’s daily need for it is very small, no more than one teaspoon. It is not for nothing that it is widely believed that an excess of salt in the diet increases the risk of developing hypertension, strokes and heart diseases.