Fruits and Vegetables Essential to the Diet
Other agents that make fruits and vegetables essential to the diet in all seasons are phenolic compounds, such substances are found in most fruits and vegetables and contributes to its color and its flavor. For men, these agents have pharmacological characteristics as antipyretics, analgesics and anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well.
Another type of phenolic quercetina is found in many vegetables, among which we must mention the onion and tomato, two of the main ingredients of gazpacho, a classic of the Spanish table in summer and is recommended to combat stress and recovering from any type of disease.
A component that makes fruits and vegetables a perfect food for summer is folic acid. This compound has attracted considerable nutritional value, especially in risk groups such as pregnant women, elderly and children. In pregnant women, insufficient folic acid is associated with defects in neural tube closure of the fetus, whereas in older people is directly related to heart disease.
Folic acid is found in large quantities in orange, thanks to the natural folate that holds this citrus, and also in broadleaf plants such as lettuce, a classic salad that abound in our summer diet.
Anyway, despite that increase their consumption in summer, the Spanish vegetables take well below the recommended amounts. Studies by the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, consumed 240 grams of vegetables daily, when the minimum recommended is 300 grams, it would be optimal in adults five daily servings of at least 100 to 150 grams.
