VEGETABLES are not only good for weight loss and maintaining a healthy diet, they’re chock-full of other benefits. They can improve the appearance of the skin, supply the body with essential minerals and may even ward off diseases.

Nutritionist and fitness expert Donovan Grant said vegetables play a major role in weight loss and proper diet but they also help in a number of other ways that you may not have realised.

The many benefits that vegetables provide for women include:

Increasing blood count

Eating leafy greens aren’t so bad after all. Vegetables like callaloo and spinach have high iron content and help to replace red blood cells that are lost during your period. In general, callaloo is a fantastic source of antioxidants when eaten raw. Grant suggests that you have a green smoothie daily if you want to maintain good health. It’s low in calories.

Minimising acne

Vegetables that have a high source of vitamin A such as carrots and lettuce help to boost the immune system, enable healthy vision and skin, and reduce acne outbreak. The body uses vitamin A to grow healthy epithelial cells that make up the mucous membranes of the skin. Getting enough vitamin A is also essential to maintaining your urinary and digestive processes so you do not age prematurely. This combination of activities will help your complexion remain clear so you are less likely to break out.

Helping damaged skin

These vegetables are the ones that are packed with vitamin C. They include broccoli and sweet peppers. Pigging out on these vegetables will help with the healing of acne scars and the formation of collagen, which helps to repair damaged skin.

Easing menstrual cramps

Once the vegetables are packed with antioxidants you may find yourself getting a bit of relief during your monthly cycle. Antioxidants also help to reduce inflammation. Vegetables that are stocked with antioxidants include bell peppers, asparagus and Brussels sprouts.

Speeding up delivery

According to Grant, okra has been touted to help in the speedy delivery of babies. While more research is being done to prove if this is true, the vegetable eases constipation, stabilises the blood sugar and helps to reduce cataracts. It also heals stomach ulcers, contains vitamins A and C, and is a good source of iron and calcium.

— Kimberley Hibbert