Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Leafy Greens

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We’ve talked a lot about growing your own health food on this blog. We have lot of articles about growing healthy leafy greens in your backyard. Microgreens, kale and spinach are just of the few we’ve talked about.

Greens are Part of a Healthy Diet

Your family needs a balanced, healthy diet to get the necessary nutrients to develop strong bodies and stay healthy. Introducing certain foods to your children, like meats and vegetables, might be more difficult than fruits and carbohydrates. When you need a boost in vitamins and minerals, leafy green vegetables will deliver.

Whether you’re incorporating them into your diet or introducing them to your children, there are a few surprising things about leafy greens that you might not know. From cardiovascular health to cancer-fighting properties, leafy greens offer many health benefits.

Leafy Greens Lose Nutritional Value Over Time

The longer you store vegetables in your fridge, the less nutritious they become. After seven days of sitting in the refrigerator, lettuce can lose nearly one-half of its nutrients, while carotenoids and chlorophyll can break down after five days.

Fresh, dark leafy greens offer vitamins A, B2, B6, C, E, and folate when eaten raw. Additionally, they contain copper, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium. Eat leafy greens within three days of harvesting to maximize their benefits. You can also prevent foodborne illnesses and bacteria growth by properly washing and storing your leafy greens after purchase. We also highly recommend a spinner, that will help keep your greens from getting soggy.

Greens Come Packed with Proteins

A surprising fact about leafy greens is that they are a fantastic source of protein. You don’t have to rely on poultry, beef, pork, and fish to get the protein you need for the day. The plant-based proteins provide phytochemicals that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Greens such as kale can provide three grams of protein in just one cup.

Powerful Cancer-Fighting Properties

Cruciferous greens offer potent anti-cancer effects. Collard greens, turnip greens, bok choy, brussels sprouts, kale, and mustard greens have glucosinolate compounds. When activated, these compounds convert into cancer fighters called isothiocyanates. As a result, your body gets a more significant boost in fighting cancer cells.

Leafy Greens Increase Satiety

When you make meals for yourself and your family, you mostly rely on starches like potatoes to help keep everyone full. However, these greens contain chlorophyll, which helps you feel full by decreasing the levels of hunger-related hormones and increasing satiety-related hormones. Leafy greens make an excellent low-calorie option, and they help signal satiety and keep you full longer.

Improve Cardiovascular Health

Keeping your heart strong will help with exercise, rest, and everyday stressors. Greens like spinach, Swiss chard, kale, beet greens, and arugula promote the formation of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide protects endothelial cells from oxidative inflammation and heart attacks. They help promote heart health while reducing the risks of heart disease.

Giving yourself and your family a daily dose of vegetables will become easier by sharing education about leafy greens. The more you eat them, the better you will feel.

Surprising Things You Didn’t Know About Leafy Greens