The body is the place in which we live. It should be cared for accordingly. This includes enough exercise, enough sleep and, above all, a balanced diet. Because what fuel is to a car, food is to a person. It ensures that we have enough energy to withstand the adversities of everyday life. Proper nutrition can protect the body from disease and even prolong life. But what is the right, healthy diet?
If the body is missing something, it can quickly become noticeable. The range of symptoms is long and ranges from fatigue and weak immune systems to mental problems. How the individual body is set up is as individual as the person themselves. Although iron deficiency is a widespread problem, the majority of women are affected by it. They therefore usually have to pay more attention to eating foods rich in iron than men. Other most common nutrient deficiencies include vitamin D, B12 and folic acid. According to data from the consumer monitor Special 2021, 57 percent of the German population uses supplements to balance their nutrient levels – fresh greens sometimes have the same effect.
Particularly nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits
There is no one right diet that works equally for everyone. But what there is: foods that are so nutrient-rich that they should have a regular place in our menu. The nutrient density value shows which fruits and vegetables are particularly healthy. This was determined as part of a study in which the content of 17 important nutrients such as vitamin A and fiber in foods was tested and compared with their number of calories. A total of 48 foods were examined, 41 of which were identified as powerhouse vegetables and fruits, i.e. those that are particularly rich in nutrients. These include only seven types of fruit.
The results show: Green wins. The top ten places for the healthiest foods are exclusively green vegetables. Fruit, on the other hand, is far behind. The lemon is only in 28th place, the strawberry is in 30th place, and the orange is in 33rd place. You can find out which ten types of vegetables have the most nutrients in the photo gallery above. The nutrient density determined refers to the raw state of the food.
Source:study, Consumer advice center, RKI