Kale

If a vegetable can be said to be trendy, kale fits that description.

In recent years, this green, leafy, cruciferous vegetable, a member of the cabbage family, has become very popular, and with good reason. Experts say that kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on earth. But that’s just the beginning of the story…

Anticancer Properties

Kale contains a number of compounds that have been found to be associated with anticancer effects. These include indole-3-carbinol¹ as well as sulforaphane, which offer significant protection against the development of the disease.²

Oxidant Reducers

Oxidant reducers help fight diseases of aging, including cancer, that our bodies are susceptible to due to the destructive effects of free radicals. Kale contains these compounds.³ Flavonoids are also found in kale in the form of quercetin and kaempferol. These substances are associated with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antiviral properties.⁴

Eye Protection

Studies show that supplementing with lutein and zeaxanthin significantly lowers your risk of age-related loss of eyesight due to cataracts and macular degeneration,⁵ and kale contains both of these carotenoids in small amounts.

References

1. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2014;2014:832161.
2. Cancer Treat Res. 2014;159:207-23.
3. Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2012;11(3):239-48.
4. ScientificWorldJournal. 2013;2013:162750.
5. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2003;44(6):2461-5.