Kale has long been considered the king or queen of greens. This is with reason. The vegetable is one of the healthiest greens you can find anywhere in the world.
This cruciferous vegetable is packed with nutrients. One cup of raw kale contains high amounts of vitamin K, vitamin C, beta-carotene (which becomes vitamin A), vitamin B6, manganese, copper, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It is also rich in several antioxidants and B vitamins, such as riboflavin, thiamin, and niacin.
This nutrient-dense green has a lot of health benefits. Ten of them are discussed here.
High in Antioxidants
Free radicals are unstable atoms or groups of atoms that try to stabilize themselves by stealing electrons from molecules around them. This action often induces oxidative stress and causes damage to cells and tissues in the body. It can cause or accelerate the development of diseases. Oxidative stress is also thought to one of the strongest causes of aging. Kale is rich in powerful antioxidants that can help combat this oxidative stress [1]. Antioxidants donate one of their electrons to free radicals to prevent this damage. Kale can block the activity of up to 99 percent of the free radicals in the body. Some of the most common antioxidants found in kale [2] include carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, quercetin, and kaempferol [3]. Antioxidants are heat-sensitive. Pay attention to how you prepare your kale if you want to preserve its antioxidant activities. Including kale in smoothies or salads can help do this.