10 Greens More Nutritious Than Kale

If you're like most people, you probably think kale is the most nutritious foods around. Actually, kale ranks down the list a ways of nutritious leafy greens.

... In the food world, the biggest celebrity of all might be kale—the Shakira of salads, the Lady Gaga of leafy greens. It’s universally recognized that kale anything—kale chips, kale pesto, kale face cream—instantly imparts a health halo. Even 7-Eleven is making over its image by offering kale cold-pressed juices. And yes, kale has plenty of benefits—including high levels of folate and more calcium, gram for gram, than a cup of milk. (It’s head and shoulders above these items found in our Eat This, Not That! Special Report: “Health” Foods Worse for You Than a Donut.)

Still, kale’s actually not the healthiest green on the block. Read more

Leafy Green Vegetables May Boost Your Immune Defenses

Edward Group explains how leafy green vegetables boost your immune defenses.

Despite their most valiant efforts many parents still struggle with their kids about eating their nightly serving of greens. Visiting your local farmers markets, fresher produce and more interesting/flavorful recipes have been helping to slowly turn the tide, but arming yourself with a little extra knowledge before going into battle doesn’t usually hurt either.

According to newly presented research, eating green vegetables may be an even better way to our bodies healthy than we could have possibly guessed. In addition to being a well-known source of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients, not to mention both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, it seems that green vegetables of all types are also a key source of specialized chemical signals that our immune systems use to self-communicate. Read more

Go Green for Better Health: Leafy Greens, That Is

A study by the University of California, Los Angeles and Louisiana State University found that those who consumed salad and raw vegetables had a higher concentration of vitamins in their bloodstream, but according to dietitian Helen Tracey, we need to eat them in much greater quantities.

With salad season in full swing, you may wonder whether some leaves are healthier than others.

'All leafy greens are good for you,' says dietician Helen Tracey, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.

'Some are higher in nutrients than others but overall they're a good source of vitamins C, E, calcium and antioxidants, including phytonutrients such as lutein, which is thought to form a chemical that some studies suggest can lower the risk of developing cataracts in later life.' Read more