Pizza, Health Benefits of Pizza

Pizza is a flatbread in which the cheese or tomato sauce is used as toppings and is baked in an oven. Vegetables, meats and condiments are also used as toppings. Pizza is available frozen or fresh, portions or whole and considered as the prevalent fast food in North America and Europe. We could find various varieties of pizzas which are cooked in an oven. Various ingredients are used to make it more flavorful. Mozzarella cheese is mostly common in pizzas. It is widely popular in the people of all ages. It is suitable for the celebration of any occasions.

History

The term pizza was originated from Latin word pinsa which means flatbread. Pizza is one of the favorite foods of all which has become a portrait in Italy. It is consumed as plain flat bread. It is filling, tasty and cheap to make. In early 18th century, it was widely known in Italy. While the Queen Margherita and her husband was taking a tour of Italy in late 1800’s, they was curious about the large flatbread which the people was eating. Then she ordered it. The Queen loved it very much that she gave an order to make various types of pizza. For the queen’s respect, the chef made special pizza with the toppings of Mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and fresh basil. It was the queen’s favorite food and gained lots of popularity in Italy. Mariana Pizza is topped with oregano, tomato, extra virgin olive oil and garlic. The name occurred as it is prepared by the wives of fishermen after they returned form the fishing trips of Bay of Naples.

Nutritional value

One slice of Pizza contains the minerals such as 201 mg of calcium, 2.65 mg of iron, 26 mg of magnesium, 231 mg of phosphorus, 184 mg of potassium, 640 mg of sodium, 1.43 mg of zinc, 0.112 mg of copper, 0.385 mg of manganese and 21.3 µg of selenium. The vitamins such as 0.417 mg of thiamin, 0.209 mg of vitamin B2, 4.093 mg of niacin, 0.086 mg of pyridoxine, 100 µg of folate, 56 µg of folic acid, 43 µg of folate, 17.5 mg of choline, 0.45 µg of vitamin B12, 1.5 mg of vitamin C, 74 µg of Vitamin A, 383 IU of Vitamin A, 65 µg of retinol, 98 µg of Beta carotene, 29.7 mg of betaine, 2049 µg of lycopene, 62 µg of lutein + zeaxanthin, 0.89 mg of Vitamin E, 0.05 mg of beta tocopherol, 1.27 mg of gamma tocopherol, 0.36 mg of delta tocopherol  and 7.2 µg of Vitamin K.

Health Benefits of Pizza

Pizza contains the ingredients that are healthy and is also high in fat.  The homemade pizza helps to have control over the ingredients that are high in fat. Tomato has lycopene which is an antioxidant that helps to counteract various types of cancer. Olive oil helps to lower the LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol that helps to prevent the chances of heart ailments. Mozzarella cheese has high amount of protein, fats, sodium and calcium. Garlic is a great source of manganese, selenium and Vitamin C. Oregano has good amount of manganese, Vitamin K, oils and fiber.

1. Production of energy

Sugar with Vitamin B1 helps to oxidize for formation of usable energy. It plays a vital role in the enzyme system known as pyruvate dehydrogenase system that assists in the sugar oxidation. Thiamin is essential for the enzyme functions that release energy for the normal functions. (1)

2. Forms hemoglobin

Iron plays a vital role in the formation of hemoglobin. It provides the shade of dark red and transports oxygen to the cells of the body. Extra hemoglobin is essential as we lose blood through internal and external injuries. Mostly the women lose more blood during the periods due to which they has more chances to get anemia. (2) (3)

3. Weakness

The presence of phosphorus helps to eliminate the health ailments such as numbness, weakness and fatigue. The adequate amount of phosphorus helps to maintain the people active and fit. It also helps to treat sexual weakness such as frigidity, loss of libido, sperm motility and impotence. (4)

4. Assist digestion

Niacin or Vitamin B helps to assist in the functions of digestive system that promotes the nerve functions, healthy appetite and skin health. (5)

5. Prevent cancer

Folate or Vitamin B9 is vital for the reduction of cancer in the body. It eliminates the cancers such as colon cancer, cervical cancer and lung cancer. The doctors recommend to include folate in the diets. (6)

6. Immunity

Protein helps to promote the immune system. It prevents the chances of diseases and infections due to the presence of antibodies that eliminate the antigens from the body. It deactivates the production of antigens. (7) (8)

7. Prevent obesity

Calcium helps to maintain the body weight of females and males. It releases the parathyroid hormones that promote the bones to release in the blood stream. It also enhance the fat production and prevents break down. (9)

8. Level of sugar

Manganese effectively controls the sugar level in blood. It prevents the chances of diseases such as diabetics. It maintains the sugar level and normalizes the secretion and synthesis of insulin. It also prevents the unpredictable drops of blood sugar. (10) (11)

9. Nervous system

Riboflavin treats the nervous ailments such as Alzheimer’s disease, numbness, anxiety, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Vitamin B6 with Vitamin B2 helps to treat the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. (12)

10. Antioxidant properties

Zinc is considered to be an antioxidant that plays a vital role in enzymatic functions, protein synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. It is vital for the body functions and integral functions. (13)

Precautions

1. Gain in weight

Pizza is also a junk food which could lead to weight gain because it contains 3500 calories that could raise the weight by one pound. In a week, 500 calories are consumed if eaten daily.

2. Chances of stroke

Sodium helps to maintain the balance of fluid in the body but the excessive amount of sodium raise the level of blood pressure that increases the chances of stroke. It has high amount of sodium and the studies shows that excessive amount of sodium increases the chances of stroke by seventeen percent.

3. Intestinal problems

Pizza is also loaded with high amount of carbohydrates which might be difficult to digest. The daily intake of pizza might result in constipation and cause the gastrointestinal problems.

4. Skin problems

Pizza contains high amount of fat, cheese and sugar that could affect the activities of hormones of the teenagers. The daily intake of oily foods raises the production of sebum oils that could result acne or breakouts. The daily intake of pizza should be avoided to maintain the skin health.

Other Facts

• The largest pizza of the world measured about 1261 square metres (13750 sq. ft). It was gluten free.
• Pepperoni is the famous topping for pizza in United States.
• In 1738, Antica Pizzeria is the first known pizzeria which was opened in Napeles (Italy).
• In 1895, the first pizzeria was started by Gennaro Lomabardi in New York of United States.
• Mayo Jaga and squid are the famous toppings for pizza in Japan.
• About 94 percent of American citizens consume pizza daily.
• About 61,269 pizzerias exist in United States.
• October is regarded as the national pizza month of US.
• In America, about 62% of the people prefer meat toppings and 38% prefer vegetable toppings.
• In Las Vegas (Nevada), Pizza expo is held every year.
• The intake of pizza once in a week can lower the chances of esophageal cancer.
• The term pizza was introduced in 997 AD.
• The world’s expensive pizza cost about $12,000.
• In US, approx. 3 billion pizzas are sold in a year.
• Since 1994, Pizza hut started to offer online pizza.
• In 1962, Canada invented the Hawaiian pizza.
• The longest pizza of the world extended as miles long which took 800 tables and 80 chefs to prepare it.

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