Going Green - A Whole New Meaning
Leafy green vegetables rule the roost in the vegetable kingdom. Nothing against rutabagas or cucumbers, but leafy greens have the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food. 1 That's enough to make any vegetable feel superior!
The Power of Green
Just check in with a bowl of greens and you'll find they are brimming with vital nutrients that provide a variety of health, growth and fertility benefits.
Your Liver's Favorite Color is Green
Livers love greens because they're amazing detoxifiers. If you want to cleanse your liver, eat your greens!
A Lean, Mean, Green Machine
Just to give you an idea of how important they are to include in our diets at every meal, this is a sample of what you can expect with every bite of green goodness:
- Fiber - A leader in blood sugar regulation, blood cholesterol regulation and bowel function.
- Protein - Perfect for vegetarians! Who wouldn't rather have a side of escarole than a tofu cutlet?
- Calcium - That's right, leafy greens are an excellent source of calcium. Cows will rejoice everywhere!
- Vitamin A - Better to see you with, my dear. Vitamin A is essential for vision and bone growth.
- B Vitamins - Vital for human health and nourishes the nervous system.
- Vitamin C - Powerful antioxidants to supercharge the immune system. Great for strong muscles, bones and skin, too!
- Vitamin K - Just what you're looking for to help support the healing process. Leafy greens are your best source of vitamin K1 but vitamin K2 is synthesized in your gut by microflora. So eat greens and a probiotic diet together for both forms.
- Iron - Fit for a strongman, this mineral aids in immune function, cognitive development, temperature regulation, energy metabolism and work performance.
- Chlorophyll - Scan through your notes from your third grade science class and you'll be reminded that chlorophyll is what makes leaves green. Chlorophyll provides oxygen that's necessary for the healthy bacteria in your gut to grow and flourish. Go chlorophyll!
Experts Agree, Green is the Color for All Seasons!
Much research has been done on the benefits of greens. Take a look at what has been found when greens are put to the test:
- Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health found that individuals who eat leafy greens had a 23% reduction in coronary heart disease.2
- Scientists found that a diet rich in leafy green vegetables actually showed a significant reduction in the chance of developing colon cancer.3
- Research shows that folate, one of the impressive B Vitamins in greens, may protect against cognitive decline in older adults .4
- Studies found that caratenoids (powerful antioxidants) in green leafy vegetables can inhibit the growth of certain types of breast cancer cells, skin cancer cells, lung cancer and stomach cancer.5 Doesn't it make you want to have a plateful of broccoli rabe right now?
- Another study showed that women who ate the most leafy greens had half the risk of ovarian cancer compared to those who ate the least.6 Half!! Pile them on!
The Greener the Leaf, the Greater the Good
The darker the green in edible plants, the more nutrients they hold. Choose those that are lusciously deep in color and mix them with a variety of shades, textures and tastes for the perfect balance of vitamins and minerals.
Go Ahead, Eat Them - Nature Will Make More
The Body Ecology Diet recommends eating greens at every meal…yes even breakfast or at least for brunch. Starting your day with greens is an alkalizing, mineral-rich way to get your day going!
A steamy bowl of greens sautéed in coconut oil with a little garlic and Celtic sea salt is the perfect complement to a healthy lunch.
And if you're like most people, dinner isn't really dinner without a leafy green salad on your plate.