Each year we try something  new  in our garden or deck beds. This year it was salad themed we planted three types of lettuce, Swiss chard and the standard herbs but we added Kale. Lyn loves Kale uses it all the time in salads, soups or just sautéed. Everything pick as needed for a fresh salad. When I bought the seedlings the owner’s wife was excited she said good choice it is hearty. I think she was happy because it was her choice to provide Kale this year and he did not want to.  Anyway here is some information on this hearty crop.

WebMD Archive

By Kathleen M. Zelman, MPH, RD, LD

WebMD Expert Column

Move over Popeye and make room for the “queen of greens,” kale. Gaining in popularity, kale is an amazing vegetable being recognized for its exceptional nutrient richness, health benefits, and delicious flavor.

Eating a variety of natural, unprocessed vegetables can do wonders for your health, but choosing super-nutritious kale on a regular basis may provide significant health benefits, including cancer protection and lowered cholesterol.

curly green kale and beets

Kale, also known as borecole, is one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet. A leafy green, kale is available in curly, ornamental, or dinosaur varieties. It belongs to the Brassica family that includes cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, collards, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.

What makes kale so exceptional? Here is why it’s a superstar vegetable — and ways to work it into your diet.

Kale is a Nutritional Powerhouse

One cup of chopped kale contains 33 calories and 9% of the daily value of calcium, 206% of vitamin A, 134% of vitamin C, and a whopping 684% of vitamin K. It is also a good source of minerals copper, potassium, iron, manganese, and phosphorus.

Kale’s health benefits are primarily linked to the high concentration and excellent source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and K — and sulphur-containing phytonutrients.

Carotenoids and flavonoids are the specific types of antioxidants associated with many of the anti-cancer health benefits. Kale is also rich in the eye-health promoting lutein and zeaxanthin compounds.

Beyond antioxidants, the fiber content of cruciferous kale binds bile acids and helps lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, especially when kale is cooked instead of raw.

Related articles

• Kale…is it the perfect food? (overthefencewithfriends.wordpress.com)
• Kale – a healthy, tasty way to add greens to your diet (b2lfitness.wordpress.com)
• Benefits of Kale (fitgirltraining.wordpress.com)