6 reasons you can't ignore kale

In recent years, kale has become a superfood with the name "Queen of Green Vegetables" thanks to its effects of increasing longevity and preventing cancer.

1. Helps strengthen bones

Many of us may drink milk for strong bones and overall bone health, but kale actually contains more calcium than milk. Kale and oranges are considered among the many fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins that help strengthen and protect bones.

“Bone needs many nutrients, especially calcium, to mineralize,” says Maina Sinha, MD, a bone specialist at Weill Cornell Medical College. “Dairy products and green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale, are the best sources of calcium. Vitamin K in kale is also essential for many body systems, including bone health.”

2. Anti-inflammatory

Kale is packed with nutrients, such as quercetin, which helps fight inflammation and prevent plaque buildup in arteries, and sulforaphane, an anti-cancer compound. Anti-inflammatory foods may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. A serving of cooked kale can provide about 10% of your daily value of omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight inflammation.

3. Detoxify the body

Helping you stay healthy from the inside out, kale can detoxify your body and keep your liver healthy. This low-calorie, fat-free food can be eaten raw in salads or smoothies. Detoxifying and nourishing your liver is important because if your liver is not functioning properly, it can affect all the other organs in your body, including your heart and brain.

4. Improve eyesight

Kale contains lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that help protect the eyes from UV exposure. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who ate foods rich in lutein, such as kale, had a 22 percent lower risk of developing cataracts. Dietary antioxidants, such as kale, may play a role in preventing cataracts later in life or macular degeneration.

5. Boost brain health

According to Dr. Drew Ramsey, Columbia University, nutritious vegetables contain essential vitamins and minerals for brain function. Kale contains vitamin K, a powerful antioxidant nutrient that protects fats and is involved in blood clotting. Vitamin K is needed to make special fats called “sphingolipids” that make up the structure of brain cells, and promotes brain cells to function more flexibly.

6. Cancer prevention

Kale contains nutrients that fight free radicals—which have been linked to cancer risk. A study published in the International Journal of Urology and Nephrology found that the phytonutrient sulforaphane in kale may help protect against bladder cancer, one of the six most common cancers in the United States.

It's time to add kale to your diet for a healthier body.

According to dantri.com