Emma Miller
By lowering your blood sugar, you do less harm to your body. Kale is an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, iron, and antioxidants. In addition, this vegetable is said to have a “good balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids”.
This is the opinion of certified health expert Tina Paymaster. According to her, eating kale can also be surprisingly satisfying, as the vegetable contains a healthy amount of fiber. “It can help with weight loss and weight control because the fiber helps you stay fuller for longer,” explained Pymaster. She noted that fiber is “essential for cleansing and detoxifying the body.”
In addition, the fiber content in kale helps lower cholesterol by collecting excess cholesterol in the intestines and pushing it out of the body. Although vegetables can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways, steaming seems to be the most beneficial.
A study published in the journal Nutrition Research found that steamed kale binds better to bile in the digestive tract. The fiber it contains also helps control blood sugar levels. Increased fiber intake is closely associated with lower blood glucose levels.
If blood sugar levels can become too high, which is a classic sign of diabetes, then internal damage to the body begins to occur. By lowering your blood sugar, you do less damage to the body. Paymaster said that kale is also rich in sulfur, which is necessary for the production of glutathione, an antioxidant.
“Sulfur is also extremely important for glucose metabolism, helping to reduce weight gain and lower the risk of diabetes,” she added. One research article in the Journal of Chromatology B found that kale contains more glucoraphanin, a sulfur precursor, than broccoli. The superfood also contains potassium, which plays a key role in regulating sodium levels in the body.
Too much sodium is the cause of high blood pressure, so by eating potassium-rich foods, you can effectively lower your blood pressure. The nutritionist said that potassium is a vasodilator, which means it can help arteries dilate, improving blood flow.
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who consumed almost three times as much potassium as other people had a 49 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease.
Not only does kale improve blood pressure, help you lose weight, and help control blood sugar, but it also has other beneficial health benefits. Paymaster suggested that kale potentially has anti-cancer properties known as glucosinolate.
The National Cancer Institute has reported that compounds in cruciferous vegetables, such as kale, inhibit the development of cancer in rodents. The presence of antioxidants, such as those found in kale, is important for removing “free radicals” from the body. Free radicals can lead to accelerated aging and contribute to the development of cancer.
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