Teeth and Protein ~Nutritionist's Column Vol.38

This month, GRØN participated in the 418 Project , an event that encourages families to think about their health, starting with their teeth.

Protein and dental care are two topics that at first glance seem unrelated.
Today I will talk about these two things which are actually closely related.

It is said that dental health and physical health are linked.
We eat through our mouths, and our teeth help break down food into smaller pieces to make it easier to digest.
In addition to these, teeth have various other roles, such as helping with pronunciation, creating facial expressions, maintaining body posture and balance, and stimulating the brain through chewing.
If your bite is poor due to tooth alignment or tooth decay, it becomes difficult to break down food into small pieces and digest it, which can put a strain on your digestive organs such as your stomach and intestines. If you chew with only one of your teeth, it can distort your face and body. If this condition continues, it can cause headaches, back pain, and insomnia, creating an unhealthy cycle.

And if you neglect your dental care, you could be faced with periodontal disease, which is said to be the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. The percentage of people with periodontal disease seems to increase with age. The main cause is bacteria called plaque that is left behind on the surface of the teeth, which causes inflammation such as bleeding, redness, and swelling of the gums. Plaque, also known as plaque, cannot be removed by simply rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash, but it can be removed by brushing your teeth, which is why daily dental care is so important.
Recent research has revealed that neglecting dental care can have adverse effects on the entire body. Toxic substances from periodontal disease, a condition in which inflammation is constantly present in the mouth, enter the body through the blood vessels in the gums and cause or worsen various diseases. It is said to impair the function of insulin, which lowers blood sugar levels, cause premature births and low birth weight babies, cause obesity, and even contribute to arteriosclerosis of blood vessels and strokes. This shows that dental care, such as brushing your teeth and oral care, is extremely necessary to live a healthy life.

In order to keep your teeth healthy, daily care such as brushing and flossing is necessary, but we will talk about the nutrients in the teeth and gums.

●Calcium and vitamin A are said to be good nutrients for strengthening teeth.

Calcium: Promotes remineralization of teeth.
In order for it to be efficiently absorbed by the body, it is important to consume it together with vitamin D (fish, mushrooms, eggs, etc.).
Main foods) Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, small fish that can be eaten with the bones, soy products such as tofu and natto, vegetables, seaweed, etc.

Vitamin A: Absorption is increased when tooth enamel is fried with fortified cooking oils.
Main foods) Carrots, green and yellow vegetables such as peppers, pork liver, chicken liver, eel, butter, chicken eggs, and other animal products

●Protein and vitamin C are said to be good nutrients for strengthening gums.

Protein: It is essential for collagen production and is a nutrient that is essential for healthy teeth and gums. It is important to take it together with vitamin B6, which helps the body synthesize protein (from red fish, lean meats such as fillet and chicken breast, bananas, peppers, sweet potatoes, brown rice, etc.).
Main foods) Meat, seafood, eggs, soy products, dairy products, etc.

Vitamin C: Its "collagen synthesis promoting effect" promotes the regeneration of broken collagen fibers and prevents gingivitis. (Collagen fibers are one of the important components of the gums.)
When you boil food, vitamin C dissolves in the broth and is lost. It is also sensitive to heat, so it is easily lost when heated. To get the most out of your vitamin C, it is recommended to reduce the time the food is exposed to water or heat, or to make a soup that you can drink with the broth.
Main foods) Mainly vegetables, fruits, potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc.

It is also important to actively consume foods rich in dietary fiber, such as burdock, lettuce, and celery. Chewing well will prevent overeating and help prevent obesity, aid in food digestion, stimulate the brain, and help prevent illness. It also leads to more saliva production. Saliva has the effect of washing away food debris and bacteria, helping to prevent cavities and gingivitis.

The best nutrient for dental care is protein. You can see that other vitamins are also necessary. The key is to efficiently get these nutrients into your teeth and gums through your daily diet. Why not try GRØN, which contains easy-to-consume plant-based protein and vitamin-rich superfoods?

To supplement nutrients that work well with vitamin D, such as calcium and protein.
By the way, the protein blend with the highest calcium content is Green Monster .

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Nutritionist, Food Education Instructor, Food 6th Industrialization Producer Level 4
Ayako Ishihara

A nutritional advisor in the healthcare field and an agribusiness professional.
She is involved in a variety of activities specializing in the fields of beauty and health, including giving lectures to Miss World Japan candidates.

With the philosophy of "enriching the mind and body through food and realizing a vibrant society where people and communities are connected," he founded i-Field Co., Ltd. in 2013 and serves as its representative.
He is a core member of the food team for "DINING OUT," which opens outdoor restaurants in various regions, and also participates in fashion brand projects.
She is also involved in the promotion of local ingredients, product development and production specializing in "health" and "beauty," branding, concept design, food hygiene, sales promotion, training planning and management, etc. She is in charge of nutritional supervision for GRØN's product development, proposing ways to incorporate them more effectively into consumer health.

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