Society is more switched on than ever to the benefits of a healthy plant-based diet. Yet only one in 10 American adults eat enough fruit and vegetables, according to a 2017 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This exposes people to a number of health risks, according to Seung Hee Lee-Kwan of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity and lead author of the study.
“This report highlights that very few Americans eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day, putting them at risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease,” Lee-Kwan said in a statement. “As a result, we’re missing out on the essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that fruits and vegetables provide.”
The Benefits of Plant-Based Foods
Fruits and vegetables are good sources of fiber, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants. A 2017 review of almost 50 studies found that plant-powered diets are linked to lower total cholesterol levels. Diets rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can also lower blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. Harvard states on its website that such diets can prevent several forms of cancer, reduce the risk of eye and digestive issues, and improve blood sugar levels.
A plant-rich diet could even help you live longer. A June study by the American Society for Nutrition found that insufficient fruit and vegetable intake could be the cause of millions of deaths from heart disease and stroke every year. The study claims that around 1 in 7 cardiovascular deaths could have been prevented by eating enough fruit and 1 in 12 cardiovascular deaths were due to inadequate vegetable intake.
“Fruits and vegetables are a modifiable component of diet that can impact preventable deaths globally,” lead study author Victoria Miller, a postdoctoral researcher at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, said in a statement. “Our findings indicate the need for population-based efforts to increase fruit and vegetable consumption throughout the world.”
Bringing Good Health to America
Plant-based nutrition service Kencko wants to be a part of the solution. The company aims to help Americans reach their daily recommended fruit and vegetable goals with its pre-made smoothies to mix with water or your favorite vegan milk. The drinks are made from 100 percent organic produce — flash-frozen and slow dried — and provide two of the recommended five-a-day fruit and vegetable servings.
Kencko, which was founded by Tomas Froes and Ricardo Vice Santos, was born after Froes was diagnosed with acute gastritis. Not keen on the idea of having to permanently rely on prescription pills, Froes hunted for a more natural solution and discovered that the answer was on his plate all along: plenty of fruit and vegetables.
“I was thrilled when I discovered that something as simple as changing my diet could save my body from so much pain,” Froes, the Founder and CEO of Kencko, said. “Making the decision to switch to a plant-based diet was easy, however putting it into practice was rather inconvenient. I wanted to create a product that would easily allow me to increase my fruit and vegetable intake, and Kencko is that product.”
Kencko’s products are more than just healthy and delicious, though. “We are selling a lifestyle,” Froes said. “At Kencko we are educating consumers on the importance of having a balanced diet, all the while making it easy for them to achieve.”
The Kencko drinks are available in nine flavors. The “purples” drink is packed with blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and cranberry, which helps boost gut health and manage metabolism. The “greens” drink, featuring spinach, kale, ginger, apple, and kiwi, has anti-inflammatory, energy-boosting properties and is a good source of iron. The “reds” drink contains apple, banana, raspberry, and chia seeds, helping it be heart-healthy, gut-friendly, and great for skin and immunity.
The beverages contain no added sugars, colors, or preservatives. They are all gluten- and allergen-free, and take less than a minute to prepare.
To get your hands on Kencko or to learn more about its mission, visit its website. You can use the code LIVEKENCKO to get 15 percent off your first order.
This is a sponsored post.
