Bacteria that is not controlled with daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits can not only wreak havoc on your oral health, but can lead to bigger problems within the body. The phrase "healthy mouth, healthy you" holds more power than you might think.
The first contact that any type of food has with your body is with your mouth. Our body produces saliva as a way of naturally "washing" away any lingering food particles, it also helps break down sugars (carbohydrates) and turns them into the fuel that our body requires for energy. However, not all food, snacks, sweets, and delicious tasty treats are transformed into healthy energy, which can have a considerably negative impact on the body.
So, how does our diet affect our health from head to toe?
Healthy foods are considered "healthy" because that is exactly what they are. They keep our body functioning at peak levels. This includes oral, physical, and mental health. Making the right choices when it comes to the food that you put into your body can reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and neurological complications. It will also help you maintain a healthy weight, and with obesity on a steady incline, being aware of the good and bad that you ingest is even more important than ever.
Coordination, endurance, agility, speed, and strength are all powered by the food we eat. It can determine how you tackle your daily activities, such as work, exercise, or caring for yourself and your family. A poor diet can turn simple movement into something that requires extreme effort.
A diet filled with sugars and carbohydrates can fill your days with energy spikes and crashes. A diet filled with high-fat, such as fried foods will increase your body's risk for diseases and impact your overall wellbeing. By replacing unhealthy saturated fat, which are found in foods such as french fries, with healthy saturated fat, which are found in vegetable oils, fish, and nuts your body will benefit from their protective and restorative qualities. Don't allow a bucket of fried chicken to cause problems in your mental, oral, and overall health.
Mental Health
The body's ability to learn, fight mental illness, such as Alzheimer's disease, depression, and schizophrenia, or emotionally stability can be highly affected by the food that you eat. Reducing calories may offer protection from obesity-related neurodegenerative processes, cognitive impairment, and reduced brain volume and function.
Eating healthy is also good for one's self esteem. When you feel good physically, you feel good mentally, which will boost your self-confidence. Feeling good physically and mentally allows you to be more outgoing and have a greater capacity for enjoying life.
Don't let food be your downfall by allowing unhealthy choices become a part of poor oral hygiene or let it have negative effects on your mind, body, and overall wellbeing. "You are what you eat," so put down those Girl Scout Cookies and pick up some delicious farm-fresh berries, your body, mind, spirit, and soul will thank you for it.
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