Leafy Greens top the list for Overall Health Impact

All Leafy Greens are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytochemicals, and phytonutrients. In addition, as we learn more and more everyday there are unidentified constituents in all fruits and vegetables that may play an important role in the health impact of their regular consumption.  

As a general rule all leafy greens are heart protective, promote lung health, prevent mental age-related decline, aid in eye health (preventing cataracts and macular degeneration), stimulate proper immune function, help to prevent all cancers, reduce the risk of stroke, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and offer broad antioxidant protection.  

One of the potent identifying factors of the leafy green profile is the chlorophyll rich environment.  Chlorophyll gives leafy greens their dark green pigmentation and offers its' own list of health-benefitting factors.  In particular, chlorophyll helps build red blood cells.  At the nucleus of the chlorophyll cell lives a wide range of minerals.  This could be a major component of the overall health promoting properties of all leafy greens.  

While most people are acutely aware that leafy greens are good for their health, they are more miraculous than once appeared.  I encourage you to do your research and add them to your daily diet or at least consume some form of leafy greens a few times a week.  

• Sauté greens with onions, garlic, and olive oil
  
• Use Spinach and Arugula in Salads
  
• Add leafy greens to soups, rice pilafs, quinoa, and casseroles
  
• "Wilt" or lightly steam some greens and use as a bed under your entree
  
• Mix steamed greens into your meatloaf/meatballs

Eat Your Greens!  I will work on some innovative recipes to post soon.