Ayurvedic Teacher Explains How Imperfect Foods May Hold the Secret to Better Health

Have you ever heard the phrase, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?" It's not just a catchy song title but a scientific fact. Thankfully, it doesn't mean we must risk our lives to be healthier.

If the foods we consume undergo stress to survive, we can benefit from their strength and adaptability. Check out this video from June 23 to hear a fascinating explanation of the advantages of a plant's resilience.

Ayurvedic teacher John Douillard (@ johndouillard ) explains that hormesis is the scientific term for what doesn't kill us makes us stronger. According to the NIH, "In the fields of biology and medicine, hormesis is defined as an adaptive response of cells and organisms to a moderate (usually intermittent) stress." In humans, "Examples include ischemic preconditioning, exercise, dietary energy restriction, and exposures to low doses of certain phytochemicals." That makes sense.

Related: Ayurvedic Teacher Explains the Fascinating Benefits of Blueberries

How Hormesis Can Benefit Health

Dr. John provides an example of a study done with Amish children , who have the lowest asthma rates in the world. However, their close cousins, the Hutterites, have among the highest rates. The difference? He tells us that while the Amish children were brought up farming and having cows as pets, their cousins grew up in a sterile environment. Ultimately, researchers found that the dust in the barn had entered their respiratory tract and had prevented the Amish kids from developing asthma. It makes you wonder what the long-term consequences of having everything hyper-sterilized in 2020 will be for children growing up during that period.

He reports that science shows this is also true for plants undergoing Xenohormesis . These adaptive benefits are transferred when humans or animals ingest these stressed-out plants that struggle to survive. Unlike the commercially grown, perfect produce on supermarket shelves, he points out, "Edibles found in nature are usually forced to endure some extremes, including late spring freezes, droughts, hail, dust, and predators large and small." So, while they may not be the most picture-perfect option, they may hold more benefits for our health. Organic produce is often less visually appealing because of the lack of chemicals needed to keep insects away. So, avoiding those toxins alone should help to improve our health and longevity. As a bonus, imperfect produce is often much cheaper. Home delivery options like Misfits Market and Imperfect Foods can be a terrific way to save money on fruits and veggies while potentially eating what is most beneficial. That's a win-win!

The next time we're at the grocery store and see a misshapen lemon, carrot, or potato, it may be our sign to take it home. Whatever hardship it endured may just benefit us.

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