The tagline “superfood” has become part of the everyday parlance of people who are highly invested in their health and fitness. These foods are highly notable for their superior nutrition, disease prevention effects, and ability to boost vital bodily functions. One of the best superfoods out there is kale. Not a lot of people know about this green leafy vegetable, and some of those who know about it are reluctant to include it on their diets. However, there are so many reasons why kale must be a part of your diet, regardless of what you’ve been hearing and reading from others.
Kale is considered as one of the most powerful superfoods around. In spite of a number of foods being elevated in the superfood category over the last few years, there is a reason why kale always makes it among the most recommended ones year in and year out. Here are just some of the reasons why you should include it on your diet.
1. It promotes weight loss– There are 2 ways in which kale promotes weight loss. First, it contains an abundance of dietary fiber. These fibers not only clean up your digestive tract (which enhances both nutrient absorption and digestive efficiency), but they also make you feel full longer so you would eat less over the course of the day. At the same time, kale contains a minimal amount of calories, essential for those who are trying to cut through their daily caloric intake.
2. It contains vitamins- Kale has the lofty reputation of being the most nutritious of all leafy green vegetables. Such a title did not come by accident. It has an abundance of essential vitamins such as A, C, and K. It also has essential minerals such as calcium, iron, and folic acid. And if that’s not enough, it also contains other health-giving compounds such as indole-3-carbinole and quercetin.
3. It’s great for detoxification– Removing the toxins in your body from time to time is essential in maintaining a healthy body and preventing the development of both acute and chronic disease. Kale carries an abundance of powerful antioxidants that remove cancer-causing free radicals. These same antioxidants also clean up the liver, improving its ability to handle the various toxins coming into your body. To cap it off, detox-enhancing nutrients such as isothiocyanates and sulfur are also in the mix.
One of the biggest problems of kale eaters is its distinctively strong taste. Strong is a kind word in this case, because some feel that its taste is too strong to be bearable. However, there are many ways to make it more palatable for both the young and old. Steaming and roasting are recommended ways of cooking kale, with strong herbs and spices such as chili and garlic being the best complements for it. If to be used for salad, gentle but vigorous rubbing is recommended to soften up its texture. Last but not least, you can prepare a kale smoothie, experimenting with different flavors along the way.
