The nutritional value of fresh food we currently eat is much lower than it was 50 years ago. The soil has been depleted of its natural nutrients due to poor agriculture practices and pollution. GMO products and pesticides have changed the landscape of natural food as it was known. Today, even mindful consumers that eat healthy can’t consume as many servings of fruit and vegetables to match what our body was getting when the soil was producing fully nutritious food.

In addition to lower food quality, many children and adults simply don’t like vegetables, creating a challenge to eat even the minimum number of suggested vegetable servings per day. This could be one reason for an increase in autoimmune diseases. Too much sugar and caffeine also contribute to a lack of self-control around food. Moreover, most people find themselves busy with work and they often do not have time to eat three freshly cooked meals a day.

People that care about their health and the health of their family include multivitamins and other supplements in their diet to compensate for this general lack of sufficient nutrients in their diet. But all vitamins are not equal. Some come from faraway countries and have been processed in a synthetic way that affects their efficiency. Others do not have what they claim they have in their container. That’s why, getting vitamins directly from its source is always best when possible.

Whole foods are complex. They contain naturally occurring nutrients and enzymes that work together to promote health benefits difficult to replicate in a synthetic and isolated vitamin or supplement. That synergy between the nutrients and enzymes is part of the benefit they offer. 

That is why fresh organic food in a capsule is the next best thing to fresh organic food on a plate.

It is not designed to replace eating healthy, yet it helps bridge the gap between the food we eat and the nutrition we need for optimal health.

Studies show that when taken regularly, children and adults develop a craving for fruit and vegetables that they did not have before. And many became free of medication and suffered fewer or no colds when taking additional whole-food nutritional supplements.

When choosing vitamins or organic food in a capsule, it is essential to make sure that the products have some clinical studies to back them up scientifically. Top-of-line products will be NSF International-certified which means that the studies were done and funded by a third party to keep their findings objective, assuring suppliers, regulators and end users that products comply with strict standards for quality and safety. Olympic athletes will only use NSF products.

Regardless of your relationship with food and health, research into the right products can help support you towards optimal mind and body health.

Cecile Raynor is a wellness coach, Alexander Technique teacher and tai yoga practitioner. As a Juice Plus+ rep, she educates people on the benefits of whole-foods in a capsule as a way to bridge the gap between the food they eat and the nutrition they need to thrive into their optimal health and well-being. For more information, call 617-359-7841 or visit OffTheMatYogaBlog.com or CecileRaynor.JuicePlus.com.