January is National Soup Month!

January is National Soup Month! A warm and hearty soup is comforting in cooler weather, but soup is perfectly appropriate to have all year long. Soups are incredibly versatile to cook. Start with your favorite veggies and meat. Toss in broth or water and add the spices of your choice and you have one of the most satisfying, comforting and healthiest meals to enjoy. What if we were to give you new incentive to eat have a bowl or two? Not only is it good for your overall health, soup is beneficial to your oral health as well.

Benefits of Vegetables

One of the best ways to get tons of vegetables in at once is in a hearty soup. Vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. Vitamin C has antioxidant benefits for your gums. It helps produce collagen which helps form body tissue, and it also repairs damaged gums. This helps your gums become more resistant to oral bacteria. Folic acid helps your mouth’s cells stay healthy. Calcium helps build bones and provide structural support. It also helps harden your enamel and strengthen your jawbone. Vegetables are also a key source of fiber, which builds a strong immune system. All these nutrients together help keep teeth and gums strong and in optimum health.

Benefits of Meat

Along with the high quantity of nutrients in vegetables, lean meats contain a healthy supply of nutrients as well. Protein contains phosphorous which is an essential component in improving the strength of your teeth. For those that of you that do not eat meat, green leafy vegetables have a healthy supply of protein.  Meat also contains L-arginine, which helps slow the formation of dental plaques.  For all of these reasons combined, soup seems to be an all inclusive way to pack in large amounts of nutrients for your body and oral health.

Westchase Premier Dental staff would like to encourage healthy eating habits to all of our patients along with a rigorous home hygiene routine and regular dental checkups. Give us a call at (813) 475 – 4528 to make your next appointment. We look forward to hearing from you and Happy National Soup Month!

Source:

Dentistry.net