A healthy diet includes a variety and a balanced spread of fruits, vegetables, grains, lean meats, seafood, and poultry. Dieticians suggest curbing or exponentially reducing salt and sugar intake if a person is obese or is suffering from health conditions. Dieting does not only help you lose those extra pounds but also balances your physical and mental well-being. The following article sheds light upon some of the benefits of sticking to a healthy diet.

Weight loss
This is one of the most sought-after reason people opt for dieting. Switching to a healthy diet helps in reducing the risk of chronic conditions. An overweight person stands a greater risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus, heart diseases, poor bone density, and even cancer.

Improved gut health
Colon is the place where “good bacteria” occurs naturally. This good bacteria helps in proper digestion of food, thereby, improving body metabolism. A healthy diet rich in fiber is a healthy source of vitamins B and K, which also benefits the digestive tract. Fiber also promotes regular bowel movements that reduce the risk of bowel cancer and diverticulitis.

Improves sleep quality
A recent survey concluded that individuals on a high-fat diet suffered from sleep apnea and other sleep disorders when compared with people on a balanced diet. Reducing cholesterol, alcohol and caffeine intake in the daily diet can get you sound sleep, thereby, reducing several sleep disorders.

Improves mental health
A healthy diet may help in improving mental health and reducing the risk of disorders like cognitive decline and dementia. A diet rich in vitamin D, C, and E; omega-3 fatty acids; flavonoids; and polyphenols can help reduce the risk of several mental disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. Mediterranean and MIND diet are two diets that might help with the same. A healthy diet has also found to reduce symptoms of depression and mental fatigue.

Reduced cancer risk
Our body contains free radicals that increase the risk of various types of cancers. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps in reducing the risk of cancer as it contains phytochemicals that fight and reduce free radicals present in the body. Apart from this, legumes and nuts contain antioxidants rich in beta-carotene; lycopene; and vitamins A, C, and E, thereby, avoiding the formation of precancerous cells.