Between 20 and 45 percent of the United States struggles with persistent fatigue and low energy.
If you’re part of this group, you don’t have to pour yourself another cup of coffee or reach for a sugary treat to get through the day. Instead, try consuming more vegetables.
Below, you’ll learn how eating more vegetables can increase your energy and discover some surprising sources of vegetable-derived energy.
How Do Vegetables Increase Energy?
Vegetables can provide an energy boost in multiple ways -- no caffeine required. Here are some of the top reasons why they’re so beneficial:
Complex Carbohydrates
You don’t have to fear carbohydrates. In fact, complex carbohydrates, like those found in many vegetables, can help you feel more energized and satiated.
Because complex carbohydrates take longer for your body to break down, they offer sustained energy. Simple carbohydrates (like those found in your favorite candy bar) break down much faster and often provide a quick burst of energy followed by a crash.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vegetables provide a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and other micronutrients.
When you get sufficient amounts of these nutrients, the body's various organs and organ systems function properly. When all these organs and systems work as they’re supposed to, you will feel more energized and capable of tackling everything on your to-do list.
Caffeine-Free Energy
Will caffeine from coffee or tea give you energy? Sure.
However, that energy often comes with a crash (similar to the one that comes after eating or drinking sugar).
Furthermore, caffeine is habit-forming (that’s why 93 percent of Americans consume it), meaning that when you don’t have it, you typically experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and irritability.
Vegetables, on the other hand, are not habit-forming. You won’t build up a tolerance to broccoli and kale!
Top Sources of Vegetable-Derived Energy
Consuming any vegetable is better than no vegetables at all. However, some veggies pack more of a punch than others.
If you want to consume vegetables that offer the most significant energy boost, here are some of the top ones to add to your diet:
Broccoli
Broccoli is a good source of many B vitamins, including the following:
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
- Folate (vitamin B9)
All of these vitamins help the body use energy from food more efficiently. They also support healthy skin, hair, muscles, and nerves.
Broccoli also contains fiber, which promotes fullness and balances blood sugar.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in iron.
Iron is a mineral that contributes to healthy red blood cell functioning. Healthy red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body, support energy production and DNA synthesis, and prevent anemia.
Spinach also contains folate, which improves the body’s ability to use energy from food.
Asparagus
Speaking of folate, asparagus is another vegetable that contains it in significant quantities. That’s not the only reason you should add more asparagus to your diet, though.
Asparagus is also a good source of fiber (which promotes fullness and balanced blood sugar) and contains an amino acid called asparagine. Asparagine assists with energy production and may help to prevent fatigue.
Beets
Beets (and supplements that contain them) are favorites among athletes, especially endurance athletes, because of their energy-boosting benefits.
Beets increase energy levels because they boost nitric oxide levels and support healthy blood flow.
Better blood flow allows for more oxygen and nutrients to be delivered throughout the body, which improves energy and endurance.
Carrots
Carrots contain vitamin B6, which supports the conversion of food into energy. They also contain fiber and contribute to a healthy blood sugar balance.
Kale
Kale contains an amino acid called L-tyrosine. This amino acid can increase energy and help you feel more focused (perfect for when you’re dealing with a tight deadline and need to get things done).
Kale is also a good source of vitamins B6 and B9, both of which help you convert food to energy more efficiently.
Oat Grass
Vegetables like carrots, kale, and broccoli are familiar to most people. However, they’re not the only ones that can perk you up.
Lesser-known vegetables, including grasses and greens, are also excellent additions to a healthy diet.
For example, oat grass contains a variety of energy-enhancing B vitamins, including folate. It also provides fiber for blood sugar balance.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass contains vitamins B6 and B2, as well as iron, all of which contribute to increased energy levels.
It’s also a good source of several amino acids, including arginine, which assists with nitric oxide production and improved blood flow, and lysine, which helps with fat transport across the cells so it can be burned for energy.
Barley Grass
Barley grass is a good source of fiber and chlorophyll, which is structurally similar to hemoglobin and can support healthy red blood cells (which, in turn, contributes to increased energy).
Barley grass also contains magnesium.
Magnesium is a mineral that contributes to hundreds of bodily processes and is associated with relaxation and better sleep. By sleeping more soundly at night, you’ll wake up feeling more refreshed and experience more energy throughout the day.
Dandelion Greens
Dandelions are much more than pesky weeds messing with your lawn. They’re also packed with nutrients -- especially the greens.
Dandelion greens are good sources of iron and folate. They also contain magnesium and several nutrients associated with better blood sugar balance.
In addition to fiber, dandelion greens provide two bioactive compounds -- chicoric acid and chlorogenic acid -- both of which are associated with better blood sugar levels.
Boost Energy Naturally with Veggies
Consuming more vegetables is a simple and effective way to increase your energy levels and avoid crashes as you go about your day.
What if you don’t have time to wash, chop, and cook vegetables to add to your meals and snacks, though? In that case, a fruit and vegetable supplement like Nature’s Sustenance is an excellent alternative.
Nature’s Sustenance contains over 20 fruits, vegetables, and greens that your body needs to help you feel revitalized and focused all day long.
Order your first bottle and experience an energy boost today!