The Healthiest Vegetables in the World
By Sara Butler
Everyone knows that vegetables are healthy. Most vegetables out there are full of fiber, minerals, and vitamins while still managing to be relatively low in calories. In a sea of healthy choices, there are some that tend to float to the top, proving to be some of the healthiest vegetables in the world!
Spinach
Leafy greens are incredibly healthy, and spinach is king of the greens. Just one cup of raw spinach provides 56 percent of your Vitamin A per day. Plus it gives you all the Vitamin K you need per day – all for just seven calories.
The lutein and beta-carotene found in spinach are antioxidants that have been associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Plus, it’s good for your heart and can help to lower blood pressure.
Garlic
Vampires beware! Garlic has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant. The allicin in garlic is a plant compound that is responsible for the myriad of benefits garlic has to offer. Researchers have found that garlic helps to regulate blood sugar and promote a healthy heart too. Some studies have even found that garlic may help to decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels. So go ahead – put some garlic on it!
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are a cruciferous vegetable that is crucial to your health. These little green gems contain something called kaempferol, an antioxidant that helps to prevent damage to cells, protecting them from oxidative damage that can contribute to chronic disease. Brussels sprouts also have Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, manganese, potassium, and folate to help you stay healthy.
Kale
No doubt you’ve heard all about kale and its health benefits over the last few years, but the benefits bear repeating. It’s very nutrient dense and is loaded with antioxidants. One cup of kale has Vitamin B, calcium, potassium, and copper. It also provides you with all the Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K you need per day to stay healthy.
Red Cabbage
This vegetable is another cruciferous treat, full of antioxidants to promote better health. One cup has two grams of fiber and 85 percent of the Vitamin C you need per day. It is also rich in anthocyanins, a plant compound that gives red cabbage its vibrant color but also helps to prevent cholesterol from building up on the walls of the arteries.
If these vegetables aren't already a part of your diet, there's no time like the present to give them a try!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.