Overstating the nutritional benefits of kale borders on the impossible, in large part because of the sheer range of nutritional properties it so famously possesses. A cruciferous vegetable, kale is a cousin of broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. While none of these qualify as America’s most cherished of delicacies, they are a particularly potent bunch in terms of their capacity to provide the human organism with healthful vitamins and antioxidants. Of these, kale ranks quite highly in terms of its sheer nutrition density, displacing even broccoli by some measures.
The powers of kale are largely agreed upon within the medical community, amongst fitness professionals, and by nutrition consultants. This is not to assert any degree of consensus regarding kale’s oft-mentioned status as a “miracle” food; rather, it is rightly regarded as a vegetable capable of balancing certain functions within the body while contributing to the management of certain overlapping health challenges.
Problems such as surplus body fat, unstable blood sugars, poor digestion, and low energy levels are each combatable by way of embracing diets high in fiber and key vitamins. While many fruits and vegetables meet that criteria to some degree, the cruciferous family is particularly remarkable by that measure. Kale, for its part, is extraordinary even when compared to its closest vegetable cousins.
- Fiber content falls nicely under the powers of kale heading, and is a central component of its beneficial properties. Healthy digestion is of vital importance to overall health, a reality which on its own renders kale profoundly attractive from a dietary standpoint.
- Stable heart function is, naturally, vital to every aspect of human physicality and overall well-being. Heart disease is a lethal and near-epidemic reality with which many Americans must contend. The potassium quotient, Vitamin C content, and digestive properties of which kale is comprised all contribute greatly to sustained cardiovascular support and vitality.
- Inflammation—the silent killer. A great many Americans are beset by chronic inflammation for which either pharmaceuticals or periods of inactivity are often prescribed. In truth, the inclusion of kale in one’s diet will counteract the body’s natural inflammatory response, acting as an internal salve while eliminating the painful and energy-depleting side-effects of inflamed organs and joints. Most importantly, kale is a profound source of energy, the likes of which will allow for continued physical activity.
- Our bodies are relentlessly assailed by oxidizing forces which, over time, diminish our capacity for healthy cellular regeneration. These forces are environmental, they are dietary, they are stress-related, they are implacable…and they are prone to counteraction.Antioxidants exist in great abundance throughout the realm of flora; in herbs, in spices, in fruits, in vegetables. And while many of these offer an excellent source of polyphenols and free radical-eliminating chemicals, kale reigns supreme for the immense antioxidant power housed within its leafy confines. Certain cancer risks are drastically reduced when one incorporates cruciferous vegetation into their diet.
- Vision and skin health are handsomely safeguarded by the powers of kale, as both benefit greatly from a diet high in Vitamin A. Kale, in addition to the seemingly innumerable properties of which it rightly boasts, is a supreme source of this vital nutrient. For a youthful appearance and reliable eyesight, make certain a leaf of kale makes its way to your dinner plate from time to time.
- Americans are notoriously calcium deficient, and many sources of this vital mineral upon which people rely are themselves of questionable merit. This is certainly not the case where kale is concerned, as the powerhouse of a leafy green contains greater quantities of calcium ounce-for-ounce than milk itself.Furthermore, kale does not carry with it the calories and fat content which accompany 2% or whole milk, meaning that one may strengthen their bones and maintain a healthy metabolic rate (benefits of calcium) without compromising dieting integrity.
- Proper cellular growth (for which good liver function is key) depends upon proper iron intake. Though often associated with red meat intake, kale actually harbors more iron in its slight frame than does the average slab of cattle. This in addition to the absence of fat and unhealthy cholesterol which plague many a steak dinner.
In short, kale tends to offer a range of benefits which, while extractable from other food sources, often cohabitate with more harmful elements. Abandon the collateral damage and embrace kale as a food of singular purity. Though not alone on the list of highly nutritious vegetables, it is uniquely laden with a range of restorative vital nutrients.
Leave a Reply