These days, it’s tough to find full agreement about what’s healthy and what’s not.
Fortunately, most of us can agree on at least one thing – kale is good for you.
More than just a health fad, kale has earned its healthy reputation for several reasons.
In this post, we’ll dig into some of the most compelling health benefits that kale has to offer.
Our goal? To inspire you to start including it in your diet regularly.
1. Kale Has Cancer Fighting Properties
Don’t let the appearance of kale fool you. It looks a heck of a lot like lettuce, but it’s actually a cruciferous vegetable.
Cruciferous vegetables have been studied extensively for their anti-cancer properties. In fact, a high intake has been associated with a lower risk of breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancer.
In part, the cancer fighting properties they offer come from their glucosinolates,2which are compounds that give them their bitter taste and pungent smell.
2. Kale is One of the Most Nutrient-Dense Foods
Kale is considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet, due to its rich concentration of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
It competes very well when compared to other vegetables. In fact, it actually contains more polyphenols than cauliflower and broccoli.
According to the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index Scale — which measures foods based on their nutrient content — kale has a score of 1000, which is the highest score a food can get.
Some of the notable antioxidants found in kale include:
- chlorogenic acid
- anthocyanins (purple variety)
- quercetin
- kaempferol
Kale is also a particularly rich source of:
- vitamin C
- magnesium
- beta carotene
- manganese
- folate
- potassium
- vitamin K
Not bad, right?
3. Kale Enhances your Body’s Detoxification Process
Kale is often hailed as a detoxifying food, and it’s for good reason. When it’s chewed or mechanically processed, a chemical reaction occurs that turns certainglucosinolates into sulforaphane.
Sulforaphane enhances the production of your liver’s detoxifying enzymes…
Read more: The Life Extension Blog
