Food is any material consumed in order to give nutrition to an organism for the growth and maintenance of the same. More specifically, food is generally of animal, plant or bacterial source, and is required to sustain life in the ecosystem. Every living thing, whether animal, plant or fungus, need food to live and grow. However, what most people tend to consider ‘food’ is much more than this.
One of the most important functions of the human body is the immune system, which is aided in this function by a number of different substances such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, hormones, etc. Food provides the energy that the immune system needs to perform its various tasks and to ward of diseases. In order to keep the immune system healthy and fight off disease, it is important to eat a balanced diet, rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc. However, food is not the only thing that helps to make up a healthy diet – certain foods also play a pivotal role. For instance, certain foods such as dairy products, iron-deficient vegetables, and fruits and vegetables, have strong immune-boosting properties and hence must be consumed on a regular basis.
Similarly, certain foods are low in carbohydrates, but high in protein and therefore very useful to the body in times of stress or when one is chronically insufficient in these nutrients. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in the body, whereas proteins provide the building blocks of all other tissues. Vitamins and minerals are present in all foods, but to a far greater extent in legumes, fruits and vegetables, than in other foods. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are a rich source of nutrients and help to build the immune system. Therefore, apart from providing food and fuel to the body, food is also important in the making of our personality.