Veggie goodness
The World Health Organization recommends that everyone should aim for a minimum intake of 400g of fruit and vegetables a day. So how can you ensure you get the recommended level? The answer may lie in a tasty soup!
Slice it & dice it
Soup is the tasty and easy way to discover a wide variety of vegetables that you otherwise might not be familiar with – such as chicory, pumpkin or asparagus. It's a great way to introduce yourself and your family to a new set of flavours, as soup is one of the best foods to combine as many varieties of vegetables in one single bowl. And it's not just your taste buds that can benefit. A wide range of key nutrients such can be found in vegetables.
Fighting free radicals
Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E help reinforce the body's natural defence by maintaining the health of cells that fight free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that naturally occur in our bodies from normal functions. Certain factors, such as smoking, pollution or sunlight, increase the production of free radicals. These free radicals may damage the cells. It may be possible to reduce the potentially harmful effects they cause if we eat enough antioxidants, because antioxidants neutralise free radicals. Therefore the most important point is the balance between free radicals and antioxidants.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E therefore help reinforce the natural defence of our body. Colourful fruit and vegetables provide some of the best natural dietary source of strong antioxidants.
Vitamin C
Found in nearly all vegetables, vitamin C has different functions in our body and is an essential component of a healthy diet. The cooking process partially degrades vitamin C so it's best not to overcook vegetables.
Vitamin C also has other roles to play in our body. It contributes to collagen creation - the connective tissue that helps build and maintain healthy bone, teeth, cartilage, gums and skin. And when consumed with iron-rich foods, vitamin C helps the gut to absorb the iron.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that ensures the body's cells' integrity by protecting cells membranes from free radical attack. Fruit and vegetables such as avocado, red pepper, spinach and pumpkin are a key source of vitamin E.
Goodness in a bowl
Eating Knorr soup is a great way to bring a wide variety of health-promoting vegetables to your table in one simple meal. For speed and convenience use it straight from the pack. Or get more creative by using it as a stock and adding your own selection of tasty fresh vegetables.
