7 Ways that Eating ‘Clean Eating’ Boosts Mental and Physical Health - by Michael Eckhardt-Pankov for ENG 102

Clean eating is commonplace amongst the bodybuilding and health-conscious community. However, the concept of clean eating may be brushed over by everyday people due to concepts introduced at young ages, such as eating a balanced diet, which are not equal concepts. Many people justify bad eating habits with perceived 'healthy diets' followed by binging on unhealthy food, all for the sake of balance. The concept of clean eating is simple; the less processed the better. Clean eating is more of a lifestyle choice than a diet. Instead of balancing junk food with health food, clean eating creates a sustainable approach to eating by eliminating junk food and focusing on eating exclusively 'whole foods'. Clean eating would include fresh fruit, vegetables, quality meats, minimally processed whole grain foods, and minimally processed high quality dairy products, while simultaneously eliminating overly processed junk food with added sugars and artificial ingredients.

1. Clean Eating Detoxes the Body

Detox Juice

When limiting processed foods and replacing them with whole foods, many preservatives, chemicals, additives, pesticides, hormones, and sweeteners are removed from the equation. Our bodies are not built to process many of the additives created in the last century. We still do not have enough long-term data on most of the artificial additives includes in many of our commercial food products. These chemicals stack in our bodies without allowing our bodies enough times to naturally detox. Clean eating also introduces added vitamins, amino acids, and antioxidants into our diet, which naturally support the bodies detoxing functions.

2. Improved Cognitive Function

Human Brain

Clean eating incorporates grass fed meats and lean fish high in omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 contains several compounds that boost cognitive function and prevent neurological degenerative disorders. Foods in a clean eating diet that are high in omega 3 fatty acids include pasture raised eggs, flax based products, grass fed dairy products, grass fed meats, high quality fish and seafood, many nuts and seeds. Aside from Omega 3, many of these products also contain ALA which can lower blood pressure and improve arteries, which is beneficial for brain health.

3. More Energy

Old People Running

A major facet of clean eating is eating smaller meals more frequently. Smaller meals are beneficial for reducing fatigue on our brains and bodies, induced by digestion. When we eat larger meals our energy resources go toward digestion, creating a well-known post-meal tiredness and grogginess. Junk foods tend to be harder to digest and be more calorically dense than clean eating food options, creating additional stress on our digestive systems. Eating clean also increases nutrient intake, including vitamins that are essential to creating sustainable energy, such as b-vitamins and iron.

4. Improved Digestion

Guts

Processed food tends to lack in both types of fiber that regulate digestion. Clean eating incorporates whole grains and whole fruits and vegetables, which contain a healthy amount soluble and insoluble fiber. Eating an adequate amount of fiber will help to push out waste in our digestive systems and help keep us regular. Studies show that a majority of Americans do not eat an adequate amount of fiber each day. Eating whole vegetables, quality dairy products, and healthy fermented foods also adds many necessary probiotics, helping to restore balance to our gut’s microbiome.

5. Increased Weight Loss

Woman Abs

Clean eating is not the silver bullet for weight gain. Health weight loss boils down to staying within our bodies necessary caloric requirements and being active during the day. It is entirely possible to gain weight while clean eating if a person continues to overeat past their caloric requirements and continuing to live a sedentary lifestyle. In combination with a healthy relationship with food and exercise, eating clean can help aid in weight loss. Junk food tends to be calorically denser, making it harder to eat in a caloric moderation. Along with being able to eat in larger volumes with less calories, helping to stay fuller longer without as many calories, nutrients in whole foods will aid in improving the bodies hormone function and digestion process, naturally helping the body to shed off excess weight.

6. Better Sex

Happy couple

Clean eating will improve a person’s sex life in a few different ways. Eating less chemicals and preservatives will improve hormone function, thus improving libido and sexual hormones such as testosterone (for men) or estrogen (for women). Clean eating will also add nutrients to the diet that will boost circulation and improve arterial health, thus improving the function of sexual organs. Foods that would be included in a clean eating plan that will boost sexual function and hormones include Oysters, nuts and seeds, and watermelon. Part of eating clean is drinking less alcohol, which will also improve hormones and sexual function.

7. Live Longer

Healthy Kids

Long term healthy eating undoubtedly leads to longer and healthier living. Clean eating is a great way to build a long term and sustainable relationship with food. Studies show that replacing unhealthy foods with whole clean foods decreases risk of premature death. Clean eating is a great way to add nutrients and remove chemicals and toxins added to many processed foods, boosting longevity and decreasing risks of disease while improving organ function and balancing hormones. Clean eating was also linked with reduced levels of stress, which also improves longevity and quality of life.

Conclusion

Eating clean can have many physical and mental health benefits. Forget the junk food and opt for whole minimally processed foods for better health and a longer life. In this day and age of ‘Fad Diets’ and instant gratification, it is important for us to take a step back and let the process of introducing healthy lifestyle changes improve our quality of life. Some benefits from clean eating may appear quicker, such as improved digestion and improved energy, but it will take consistency and patience to build clean eating into sustainable habits and reap the majority of benefits. Always speak with a doctor making any major dietary changes.

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