Kale Lives Up to Its Hype
By Paul Rothbart
Like many other things, foods come into vogue and are hyped as the latest and greatest. Often, there is little substance to the claims. It's all just marketing. In recent years, kale has been heralded as a superfood and is appearing in recipes everywhere. In this case, it's not just hype. Kale is legitimately one of the healthiest foods there is. Greens, in general, are very good for you, and kale ranks high on that exclusive list. Here are some health benefits of kale.
Densely Packed With Nutrients
A member of the cabbage family, kale is a cruciferous vegetable, and like all members of that group, loaded with nutrition. A single cup of kale contains enough beta-carotene to provide 206 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A. That same cup has 684 percent of the Vitamin K and 134 percent of the Vitamin C recommended. That nutritional content alone is enough to qualify kale as a superfood, but it doesn't stop there. A cup of this green vegetable also contains significant amounts of Vitamin B6, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, and magnesium. Eating a cup of kale is almost like taking a multivitamin.
Antioxidants
Much has been written about antioxidants and their ability to help prevent disease. In addition to beta-carotene and Vitamin C, both of which are powerful antioxidants, kale contains a number of flavonoids and polyphenols. Two of the most prevalent of these substances in kale are quercetin and kaempferol. These flavonoids fight free radicals in the body that can cause oxidative damage that can cause chronic disease. These antioxidants act as anti-inflammatories and antivirals and can also lower blood pressure.
Fight Heart Disease
Kale is also helpful in lowering cholesterol, which helps prevent heart disease. Substances known as bile acid sequestrants break down fatty acids and lower cholesterol. Kale contains these substances in great enough abundance to positively impact cholesterol levels. One study found that kale is 43 percent as effective as cholestyramine, a common cholesterol-lowering drug.
Eye Health
Kale also contains the carotenoid antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These substances help prevent deteriorating vision due to aging. Numerous studies have found that people who consume lutein and zeaxanthin have a much lower risk of the eye diseases macular degeneration and cataracts.
The term "superfood" is thrown around quite freely these days. People know that good nutrition is a key to good health and seek the best sources of nutrients. Many of these foods are overhyped, but in the case of kale, the superfood title is quite fitting. Including kale in your diet is one of the best ways to improve nutrition and health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Boise, Idaho.