There are so many ways to incorporate kale into your diet. With this leafy green super food becoming more and more popular there are hundreds of kale recipes out there for you to try. From kale chips to using kale in stir fries, salads and smoothies.
Kale is a member of the cabbage family related to other vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. There are actually many different types of kale and the leaves can be green or purple in colour. The most common form of kale though is dark green with curly leaves and a hard stem known as curly kale.
I love incorporating kale into my diet as there really is nothing else that can give you as many awesome health benefits per cup. But here are my 5 favorite reasons to eat more Kale:
1. It’s a weight loss friendly food
Yep eat as much as you want! It’s low in calories, high in fibre with zero fat and filled with nutrients and vitamins. Kale is also great for aiding digestion and for detox. The fibre and sulphur in kale are great for detox and for improving the health of your liver. The fiber also helps to keep you full for longer.
2. It’s great for hair, skin and nails
Kale is full of vitamin A and other nutrients which are great for your skins health and appearance. The balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in Kale not only help to keep your body strong and healthy but also keep it looking great.
3. It helps keep the immune system strong
Kale is one of the most nutrient dense vegetables on the planet and is full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants that help to give your immune system an often needed boost. Kale is also an awesome source of iron. With more iron than beef kale helps get more oxygen into your blood and helps you to maintain energy levels.
4. It helps to prevent disease
Kale is full of anti-oxidants and is a great anti-inflammatory food – filled with omega 3 fatty acids fights arthritis, asthma and autoimmune disorders. Studies have also shown that Kale may be helpful in preventing some cancers. Oxidative damage is believed to be a contributor to some diseases such as cancer and antioxidants found in some foods such as kale, are believed to help counteract oxidative damage. Kale also contains a range of other compounds that may have a protective effect against cancer.
5. It’s great for improving eye and brain health
Kale is high in vitamin A which is great for improving and maintaining great vision. It also contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which are powerful nutrients that protect the eyes. Studies showed a much lower risk of common eye disorders such as macular degeneration and cataracts in people who ate enough lutein and zeaxanthin – the nutrients that give kale its dark green color. Kale is also a great source of folate which is important for brain development and may help with symptoms of depression.
What’s your favorite way to use Kale?
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