If you are one of those who don’t mind the periodic pilgrimage to the health care clinic, and getting probed and injected with a variety of medicines to boost up your sagging health, then most probably you don’t care much for a healthy diet to rev you up. But, for those who consider their diet to be the best medication available, then perhaps they will be very glad to know the various health benefits that the simple looking kale cabbage provides. For skeptics only one thing can be said. Wouldn’t it be far better if your diet consists of all those foods that are very effective in all those functions that keep the body in top order? The kale cabbage is one such food item whose inclusion in your daily diet can literally make doctors redundant. To make the facts clear, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the kale cabbage is a source of over 80 nutrients. This impressive nutrient profile makes kale not only a great health option, but it is also an excellent way to reduce the risk of cancer, and also helps in preventing heart disease. For those wondering what this particular species of cabbage is, it would be enough to know that the kale cabbage is typically found from mid winter to early spring, and it is a leafy cabbage without the typical central flowery bud. It is also sweeter than most of the cabbages and its flavors are more enhanced when frozen making kale an excellent addition to salads. But, it is the health benefits of kale cabbage that steal the cake. Given below are the various health benefits of kale.
Benefits Of Kale Cabbage
Detoxification
Kale cabbage is a rich source of phytonutrients that stimulate the genes to increase the secretion of enzymes which are beneficial in detoxification. Thus, it increases the capability of the body to eliminate toxins, and free radicals. Various studies have shown that kale cabbage lowers the risk of prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer as compared to those of other vegetables. It also reduces the risk of bladder cancer especially in men, smokers, and in old people. The glucosinolates present in kale cabbage is metabolized by the body into anti-carcinogens. It is also a rich source of vitamin C that protects the cells from free radicals. Three to five cups of kale cabbage a day is enough to provide many health benefits to the body.
Gastrointestinal Health
Recent studies have shown that kale cabbage contains a compound called sinigrin that releases glucose, and helps in the breakdown of products. It enhances the digestion and also significantly decreases the risk factor of developing gastrointestinal cancer.
Treatment Of Peptic Ulcers
The kale cabbage juice is very effective in treating peptic ulcers. One liter of juice taken per day has been found to heal the ulcer in about ten days. This is because kale cabbage contains high levels of amino acid glutamine that fuels the cells lining the stomach and the small intestine.
Cardiovascular Health
Kale cabbage provides a great number of cardiovascular benefits. According to experts, a certain phytonutrient found in kale cabbage lowers the secretion of the cholesterol transporter by the liver cells. This cholesterol transporter is the main carrier of Low Density Lipoproteins which clog the arteries, and form plaque in the blood vessels. That is why kale cabbage reduces the chances of heart attack and stroke.
Breast Cancer
It improves the estrogen detoxification, and also significantly reduces the incidences of breast cancer. Studies have found that women who eat more amounts of kale cabbage have very less chances of developing breast cancer as the compounds present in it are very effective in metabolizing the estrogen.
Ovarian Cancer
Kale cabbage contains the flavonoid, maempferol that effectively reduces the chances of developing ovarian cancer. According to a study kale cabbage can reduce the risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 40%.
Cataract
The kale cabbage is a rich source of carotenoids which prevents damage to the eyes as they act like sunglass filters. These also protect the eyes from overexposure to ultraviolet light. These nutrients also protect the eyes from cataracts by as much as 50%.