Why are Natural Foods Important? Insights Into Their Health Benefits

In our collective journey towards better health and wellness, the embrace of natural and organic foods has become a global movement. At Forest Foods, we are dedicated to bridging the gap between traditional agricultural practices and modern nutritional science, providing our customers with products that are pure and packed with health-enhancing benefits.

Our beatiful Limuru farm.

The Science of Natural Foods

We love natural foods because of the minimal processing and absence of artificial additives, making them rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fibers, and antioxidants, and free of all nasties! These nutrients are crucial for maintaining and enhancing health, with heaps of scientific studies supporting the numerous benefits of a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.

So how do we do it? Well we’re not going to dive into this too deeply in this blog, as we are focusing on the power of natural foods and their health benefits. But just quickly, we employ a method called syntropic agroforestry that enhances soil health and biodiversity, which in turn ensures that every vegetable we grow not only tastes better but is also nutritionally superior. Basically, we grow all of our vegetables and fruits in close proximity so that they all support each other in different ways. Think about it like a community of people that all check in and support each other when needed. Look at the photo below for a visual example!

Close up of some beds at one of our farms.

Some of our Produce and Why You Should be Eating Them

1. Broccoli and Broccoli Leaves:
   

• Health Benefits: Beyond vitamin C, broccoli is a powerhouse of vitamin K, fiber, and potent phytochemicals like sulforaphane.

• Scientific Insight: Studies have shown that sulforaphane from broccoli supports cellular health and may reduce the risk of cancer.

• Culinary Tips: For an added flavor, lightly steam broccoli with a dash of olive oil and garlic, or toss raw florets into a vibrant salad (once washed!)

• Link to a recipe here.

1. Beetroot and Beetroot Leaves:
   

• Health Benefits: Beetroots enhance stamina and blood flow, thanks to their high content of dietary nitrates.

• Scientific Insight: The conversion of nitrates into nitric oxide plays a significant role in lowering blood pressure and improving athletic performance.

• Meal Ideas: Enjoy roasted beetroots in your salads or blend them into a heart-healthy smoothie. Don’t overlook the leaves; sauté them as a nutritious addition to any meal.

• Link to a recipe here.

1. Carrots:
   

• Health Benefits: Carrots are beneficial for eye health, skin vitality, and cardiovascular health due to their beta-carotene and fiber content.

• Scientific Insight: The antioxidant properties of beta-carotene in carrots can help reduce oxidative stress and boost immune function.

• Diet Integration: Incorporate carrots into your diet by juicing them or adding grated carrots to cakes and muffins for natural sweetness.

• Link to a recipe here.

1. Spinach (Spinach Merlo Nero Astigiano):
   

• Health Benefits: Rich in iron and magnesium, spinach is essential for energy production and maintaining muscle health.

• Scientific Insight: Its high content of lutein and zeaxanthin is crucial for eye health, particularly in preventing macular degeneration.

• Cooking Tips: Spinach retains its nutritional value best when lightly steamed or sautéed. It's also perfect for adding to smoothies or as a base in salads.

• Link to a recipe here.

Why is Eating Organic Vegetables Important?

We’re seeing a trend in Kenya today of people wanting sustainable and healthy food. Ultimately what we eat is a massive part of our health and well-being, as well as being a major contributor to our carbon footprint and impact on the world. These consumption decisions are really hard to make sometimes, as so often I find myself wanting some highly-processed goodies to fill a hunger spot, or finding a ready-meal a more convenient option than buying fresh food, as I’m sure you do too. It’s really difficult to be absolutely strict on what we consume. 

I’ve found that having a veg-box from Forest Foods has made me think out of the box with recipes and menu ideas, and I’ve definitely felt my body reacting positively to the nutritious meals and lack of chemicals from these veggies. And while it is not always easy to describe or measure these improvements, trusting how you feel is a major part of this. Why don’t you start with our veg box, or visit our online shop, and use our recipe guides if you’re out of ideas!

We’re committed to producing the best quality food that you can find, contributing to your healthier future through the power of natural foods. By choosing our products, you are not only nourishing your body with high-quality nutrients but also supporting sustainable agriculture. To learn more about our practices click here, to visit our shop click here, and to learn how to farm in our way click here.

See below for where we got our information for this blog.

Jeffery, E.H. and Araya, M., 2009. Physiological effects of broccoli consumption. Phytochemistry Reviews, 8, pp.283-298.

Zafeiridis, A., 2014. The effects of dietary nitrate (beetroot juice) supplementation on exercise performance: A review. American Journal of Sports Science, 2(4), pp.97-100.

Ahmad, T., Cawood, M., Iqbal, Q., Ariño, A., Batool, A., Tariq, R.M.S., Azam, M. and Akhtar, S., 2019. Phytochemicals in Daucus carota and their health benefits. Foods, 8(9), p.424.

Hanif, R., Iqbal, Z., Iqbal, M., Hanif, S. and Rasheed, M., 2006. Use of vegetables as nutritional food: role in human health. Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 1(1), pp.18-22.