How does what we eat effect us?

How does what we eat effect us?

We all have to eat, but what we choose to eat greatly effects our health, mood, and ability to get through the day. Food activates enzymes that perform varying functions in our bodies. A cheeseburger and fries will digest differently from a carrot, as will purely liquid foods.

Since our intestines are not designed to eat a primarily meat diet, meat is not efficiently processed, and often takes DAYS to fully digest. That's right, DAYS. The sluggish feeling that one may feel from eating large quantities of meat in one sitting is due to the blood circulating to the stomach and intestines so that the nutrients can be carried throughout the blood stream. Though this happens with every food, the duration that is necessary for the meat to digest is longer and quite taxing on the digestive system. Meat does not need to be completely expelled from ones diet, but eating smaller quantities of meat aid its digestion.

Food activates certain genes as well. Genes that prompt more fat producing cells because of a energy rich diet can be neutralized by a change in diet. Humans need fat, sugar, and a myriad of other basic and complex energy sources to survive, but it is a matter of moderation and healthier food choices. The following articles address the following issues:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091130121433.htm

http://www.obesitydiscussion.com/forums/scientific-obesity-studies/timing-food-consumption-activates-genes-2850.html

http://genecarehealth.com/http:/genecarehealth.com/planning-your-diet-through-gene-type/super-foods-that-activate-antioxidant-genes/

Food can also activate genes that promote longevity. Antioxidant rich foods (blueberries, acai fruit, etc) will promote the production of cells.

For more information on this topic, science journals are also the way to go! The main message, EAT A WELL ROUNDED, HEALTHY DIET!