Kale- 11 Amazing Health Benefits

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Preparing salads and other dishes with kale seems to be a new health trend but this leafy green vegetable has been a popular food staple for centuries in various nations of the world. While not as widely loved as basic lettuce or spinach, kale is an incredible source of nutrients and a worthy addition to any diet.

What Is Kale?

Kale is a leafy green vegetable in the family of the Brassica oleracea species. kale is most closely related to collard greens and has either green or purple leaves that tend to be wrinkled or curly, and quite dense and stiff.

Kale has been a part of the culinary tradition dating back to the ancient Greeks, and due to the hardiness of this plant, and its ability to grow in rather unfriendly conditions, it has been a staple food for numerous cultures, often being one of the last vegetables to be harvested before winter. There are five main groups within kale: plain leaf, rape kale, leaf and spear, curly leaf, and bumpy leaf.

Kale Nutrition Facts

When you add kale to your diet, you will be benefiting from a huge amount of vitamin K (more than 1100% of the daily recommendation), as well as significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, copper, and manganese. Additionally, there are decent levels of potassium, calcium, iron, dietary fiber, vitamin B6, omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, thiamin, niacin, folate, and phosphorus. There are also a number of powerful antioxidants found in kale, such as lutein and quercetin.

Finally, a single cup of kale only has 36 calories but provides a notable amount of protein. Overall, the nutritional density of kale is extremely beneficial for a healthy diet.

Health Benefits of Kale

There are a number of very impressive health benefits to kale, including its ability to boost skins health, reduce hair loss, improve digestion, prevent heart disease, defend against cancer aid weight loss efforts, manage blood sugar, eliminate inflammation, detoxify the body, stimulate the immune system, strengthen bones and support good vision.

Hair Care

With a rich supply of iron, vitamin C, and vitamin A, this vegetable is excellent for strengthening the hair and stimulating its growth. Nutrients like vitamin A are needed for the productionof hair, and vitamin C is a key part of collagen, which is also crucial in the structure of hair. Furthermore, proper iron levels are required to defend against unwanted hair loss.

Skin Care

Lutein and zeaxanthin, along with various other flavonoids, are found in kale, and these antioxidants have been proven to be importantfor skin health. Carotenoids are able to neutralize free radicals in the body and lower levels of oxidative stress, including on the skin. This will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and age spots, as well as blemishes and scars, and even increase the elasticity of your skin to help you look younger.

Helps in Weight Loss

With less than 40 calories in a single cup of this leafy green vegetable, you can get a strong boost of nutrients and antioxidants without compromising your caloric goals. If you are struggling with weight loss, kale can boost your metabolism and speed the process of passive fat-burning, helping you lose even more weight!

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Reduces Inflammation

The anti-inflammatory nature of kale comes from its high levels of vitamin K, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. The former is a key nutrient in regulating the body’s inflammatory response, while the latter is able to lower levels of chronic inflammation in the cardiovascular system and gut.

Lowers Blood Pressure

There is a notable amount of potassium found in kale (8% of your daily recommendation in a single cup), which makes this vegetable excellent for lowering blood pressure. As a vasodilator, potassium is able to lower the tension in blood vessels and arteries, which reduces blood pressure and reduces your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Improves Digestion

If you are constipated, adding leafy green vegetables like kale to your diet is extremely important. Kale is high in dietary fiber (with 10% of your daily requirement in every cup), which is good for bulking up the stool and stimulating peristaltic motion in the gut, thus reducing signs of constipation, bloating, cramping and diarrhea.

Improves Bone Health

Research has shown that having a deficiency in vitamin K makes you more susceptible to osteoporosis and bone breakage. With more than 10 times the daily recommended amountof vitamin K, in addition to a range of other minerals critical for bone health, kale is a great choice for boosting bone mineral density.

Prevents Heart Disease

This popular vegetable has a good amount of omega-3 fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid, which has been shown to lower the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase the level of “good” cholesterol (HDL). This can prevent plaque deposition in the arteries and lower your risk for coronary heart disease.

Prevents Cancer

Some studies have linked the active ingredients in kale to a lower risk of cancer. Once glucosinolates are consumed, they are converted by the body into anti-cancer compounds that effectively work as antioxidants, seeking out free radicals and preventing cellular mutation, which can lead to cancer.

Improves Vision

The presence of carotenoids in kale makes it an ideal boosterfor vision. Lutein and zeaxanthin have been linked to lower levels of macular degeneration and the slowed progression of cataracts.

Lowers Diabetes

One of the antioxidants found in kale, alpha-lipoic acid, has been linked to lower levels of blood sugar and improved insulin sensitivity by the body. This can help prevent dangerous spikes and drops in glucose and insulin levels, making disease management easier for diabetic patients.

How to eat Kale

There are many ways to prepare kale, but some of the most popular methods are preparing salads, kale chips, sauteed kale, kale juice and kale pizza.

Chips: Kale chips can be prepared by drizzling olive oil over kale leaves on a baking sheet and then cooking them for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.
Pizza: Replacing rocket or spinach on your pizza with kale is a simple way to add a crispy crunch and a nutritious burst with your next slice.
Juice: Juicing the leaves produces a nutrient-rich morning drink, particularly when combined with banana, spinach, blueberries or other sweet elements that will offset the occasionally bitter taste of the kale leaves.
Salads: Adding kale leaves into a salad mix will improve the flavor profile of the salad, especially when the dressing has a strong sesame oil base to counter the flavor of the leaves.

Health Risks of Kale

Despite the many health benefits of kale, as outlined above, this leafy green vegetable also comes with a number of potential side effects, such as thallium toxicity, gastrointestinal problems, hyperkalemia and problems with blood clotting.

Thallium Levels: One of the unique properties of kale is this plant’s ability to absorb a trace toxic metal from the soil known asthallium. Having too much of this substance in the body can lead to chronic fatigue, gluten sensitivity, skin problems and an irregular heartbeat. However, you would need to consume a very large amount of kale to introduce enough of this metal into the body to cause any real problems. In moderation, kale is generally considered quite safe.
Hyperkalemia: Similar to the issue outlined above, eating a large amount of kale can result in having an excessive amount of potassium in the body. Hyperkalemia can result in chest pain, diarrhea and muscle weakness, but this condition isn’t common, as most people are actually deficient in their daily potassium intake. There is also the chance of in taking too much iron if your diet is extremely high in kale.
Stomach Issues: Since kale is a rich source of dietary fiber, some people may experience gastrointestinal distress when consuming large amounts of this leafy green vegetable. Dietary fiber can stimulate the digestive process and may cause diarrhea, bloating or excessive flatulence when consumed in excess.
Blood Clotting: There is an incredibly high level of vitamin K found in kale, and this vitamin is an integral part of blood clotting in the body. If you are at high risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks or strokes, this vegetable may not be the best choice for you. Furthermore, if you are taking anticoagulant medication, eating kale could interfere with its efficacy.

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