A generous portion of green veggies in the daily diet can benefit the body and health in numerous ways. Winter is the best time to enjoy leafy, and green vegetables as they are fresh and can be consumed in the variety of ways. Read about 7 reasons to eat more green, and leafy vegetables.
Add vegetables to salads, have green smoothie, make a gravy or simply stuff them in the sandwich. Whatever choose, make sure to eat them. Here are top seven reasons to include a more green, and leafy vegetables in the diet.
Following are some of healthiest vegetables that form part of the leafy, and green kingdom and should form a part of the diet: Spinach, Cabbage, Broccoli, Lettuce, Kale, Brussels Sprouts.
Here are some of the benefits of these nutritional powerhouses:
They improve an eye health:
Remember Popeye wearing glasses? You does not, because he never had to. Leafy greens like spinach & kale contain essential carotenoids called lutein & zeaxanthin. These are vital components of the human eye which act as protective shields for the macula and prevent damage by blue light. They are also known to prevent eye issues like cataract and macular degeneration caused due to an ageing. The human body converts beta-carotene present in leafy vegetables to vitamin A which eliminates risk of the night blindness.
They boost bone strength:
With an age, our bones tend to become weaker. Women particularly become more prone to conditions like osteoporosis or endocrine bone disease. A number of factors such as lifestyle habits, diet, and genetics can affect the bone health. Consuming a diet rich in green, and leafy veggies is thus essential for enhancing the bone strength. Green vegetables are rich source of calcium which supports the bones, keeping them dense & healthy. They also contain high amounts of vitamin K that should be essential for the production of osteocalcin, a protein essential for enhancing the bone density.
They prevent cancer:
A number of global studies have shown the impact diet rich in leafy, green vegetables can have towards warding off cancer. They contain many anti – oxidants, carotenoids & flavonoids that help to the body fight cancer of the stomach, colon, skin and breast. Regular consumption of vegetables like brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage enhance the body with cancer-fighting compounds like sulforaphane, indoles, and isothiocyanates.
They improve metabolism:
Any guesses about perfect foods to supplement the weight loss plan? That is right – the nutritive green vegetables. Being high in fibre & iron, leafy and green vegetable enhance the metabolic activity by helping the red blood cells to transport required nutrients throughout the body. They are also very low in calories & packed with many essential minerals and vitamins.
They increase chances of conception:
Vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach & cabbage are an excellent source of folic acid which is known to enhance ovulation and prevent birth defects. They are also rich in iron which helps to prevent anemia. Anemia leads to deficiency of red blood cells causing the hindrance in pregnancy.
They improve the brain function:
Dark green leafy vegetables are known to prevent age-related cognitive reject owing to their high folate – vitamin B9 content. Vitamin B also helps to enhance concentration and overall brain function. Green veggies are loaded with anti – oxidants and carotenoids which act like brain protectors & prevent damage from free moment of radicals. Therefore, the next time you find struggling to remember something, make sure to stock up on the leafy greens.
They are energy boosters:
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Do you find yourself tired and low on energy most of the time? Chances are, the diet be short of the required dose of leafy greens vegetables. Low levels of iron in body can result in of lack of energy. Leafy greens like broccoli, kale, and spinach are excellent sources of iron. They are also rich in vitamin C which in addition to improving the energy levels can also heighten immunity.