Eating healthy is healthy…so that means we should eat healthy foods as much as possible, right? But what if there’s a catch to the extent we consume such substances?

It is clear and undisputed that having a nutritious diet is essential to having good physical health. Nevertheless, despite certain foods undoubtedly supplying beneficial nutrients to the body, there is a negative cost associated with an overconsumption of such foods. From foods to liquids, there is most definitely a limit. While it’s a significant likelihood that most people will never cross such limits, it’s still important to remain aware of the necessity of balance in one’s own diet.

Seafood

Seafood, more specifically fish, is well-known for its stimulation of the cardiovascular system across multiple factors, including prevention of heart diseases and reduced risk of stroke. In addition to its contribution to the cardiovascular system, fish is also a good source of cardioprotective omega-3 fatty acids; research has suggested these nutrients to be associated with neurological advantages, such as diminished risk of cognitive decline, dementia, and even Alzhiemer’s disease. Such physical rewards of consuming fish would be incentive enough to make it a notable part of one’s diet, yet there is one particular hazard to be aware of: mercury. Mercury has been deposited into various aquatic environments via natural processes and emissions into the atmosphere from human activities (e.g. mining and combustion of fossil fuels). This has affected several fish species, not only contaminating their homes, but also their bodies. Mercury is especially dangerous towards infants and mothers for its ability to damage neural stem cell division and differentiation (neural stem cells are essential as they develop the nervous system), as well as being harmful towards adults for its implications in causing atherogenesis (the process in which plaque builds up in the arteries). As a result of these ramifications connected to fish consumption and the intake of mercury, the American Heart Association recommends eating only about 2 servings of fish (equivalent to about 6 oz) per week. 

Carrots and Citrus Fruits

While the negative effect of an excessive consumption of carrots and citrus fruits is much less serious than mercury poisoning, it’s still something to be aware of, as it can especially have social repercussions. A study analyzed weight watchers whose diets focused on a higher carotene intake – mainly consisting of carrots. The researchers found that the individuals in the study experienced hypercarotenemia (a condition characterized by the orange-yellow discoloration of the skin). While carrots are favorable in supplying Vitamin A to the body and are associated with the mitigated risk of degenerative diseases, an immoderate consumption of foods high in carotene, including citrus fruits, could very well lead to the discoloration of one’s skin. Citrus fruits are additionally critical in a healthy diet for their role in supplementing vitamins A & C, aiding in reducing the risk of heart diseases, and strengthening the immune system. However, some of the discolored patients in this study were specifically advised to avoid not only carrots, but also citrus fruits during their treatment (citrus fruits can also be high in carotene content). After time, carotene and vitamin A levels were back to normal and discoloration of the skin gradually faded. 

Water

Of all things to be cautious about, water is probably least expected. It’s vital to nourish the body and keep it continually functioning, from normalizing blood pressure, to flushing toxins and bacteria out of the body, to protecting the organs and tissue. In spite of that, there is such a thing as an excess intake of water, which is presented through the condition hyponatremia. Hyponatremia is due to an abnormally low concentration of sodium, too low to the point that there might be an unhealthy level of water in the body. This is sometimes due to drinking too much water, and thus can be simply treated by decreasing water consumption. While it’s highly unlikely that someone will drink too much water to the point of developing hyponatremia, it is extremely important to know that there are limits and that “too much” can lead to consequences.

Conclusion

All in all, healthy foods will always be good for the body, but it is fundamental to understand the importance of a balanced diet. While focusing on increasing consumption of a certain group of healthy foods may be good for some time, an overall unbalanced diet could result in more negative than positive outcomes. It is through such awareness and value of balance that holistic health can be achieved.