Collard greens are a delicious leafy vegetable that can be used in all sorts of different delicious dishes. They can be used in salads or soups, you can add them to an omelette or cook saute them for a great side dish. It is a very versatile vegetable, with a lot of great health benefits that will make you want to eat it every day.
Collard greens are part of the broccoli and cabbage family of vegetables, a group that is known to be packed full of vitamins and minerals. It has become quite popular recently so you can find it in just about every supermarket. While we know that eating vegetables is good for us, here are some things you might not have known about this particular leafy superfood.
Benefits of Eating Collard Greens
Hair Growth
Eating collard greens is a great way to naturally lengthen your hair. It’s full of vitamin E, fiber, and iron which promotes hair growth. 1 cup of collard greens has 10% of our recommended amount of protein, which works to strengthen the hair roots, reducing damage and further promoting growth.
Hair Health
Collard greens contain a significant amount of vitamins B, C, and K. A lack of vitamin B can lead to hair being oily, and a lack of vitamin C leads to brittle hair. By consuming collard greens, you’re preventing both of these problems and keeping your hair healthy.
Healthy Scalp
Dandruff and itchy scalp is usually caused by a vitamin A deficiency. Collard greens are a great source of vitamin A and it can help treat and prevent dry scalp. It is also very rich in iron, which prevents hair loss. A common sign of an iron deficiency is hair loss.
Anti-Aging
As we just mentioned, collard greens are packed full of vitamin A. Another great property that vitamin A has is the prevention of wrinkles. Eating collard greens can help slow this process down and naturally fight the appearance of aging.
Skin Health
Collard greens contain both vitamin and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B3 works to prevent redness in the skin, while the omega-3s prevents dryness, inflammation, whiteheads, and blackheads on the skin. They are a powerful combination, making collard greens great for the skin.
Blemish Reduction
Eating collard greens can also help reduce the look of brown and black spots that are found on the skin of some people. It has a high amount of vitamin C that works to remove the spots. It also helps to reduce sunburns, smooth and tighten the skin, giving it a younger appearance.
Skin Moisturizer
Collard greens are packed with vitamin E which works to keep your skin hydrated and naturally soft. Vitamin E also helps our skin fight harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer.
Dark Circle Treatment
One cause of dark circles is fragile capillaries that allow blood to leak into the skin, which then begins to clot. Vitamin K is efficient in controlling the clotting and preventing leakage by mending broken capillaries, and collard greens are rich in vitamin K.
Bone Health
Not only is vitamin K effective for dark circles, it also reduces your risk of bone fracture by making your bones stronger. It also helps your body absorb protein and calcium effectively, reducing the amount excreted from our bodies. 1 cup of boiled collard greens contains 770 micrograms of vitamin K, well above the recommended daily amount.
Fight Cancer
Since the 1980s, the consumption of green vegetables has been associated in reducing your chance of getting cancer. That’s because green vegetables like collard greens contain glucosinolates, a sulphur-containing compound that impedes the growth of cancer at different stages. It also has a high amount of chlorophyll, which blocks the harmful effects of eating grilled foods.
Treats Diabetes
Collard greens contain fibers that maintain glucose levels in the blood. It also contains the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid that reduces the amount of glucose in the blood, increases insulin sensitivity, and prevents oxidative stress-induced changes in someone suffering from diabetes.
Boosts Digestion
The amount of fiber and water collard greens contain is great for a healthy digestive system. It keeps everything running smoothly, and can also be used to help treat constipation. Eating collard greens is a great way to keep a healthy digestive tract.
Improves Mood and Sleep
Collard greens contain a rich amount of choline and folate. Choline helps to improve sleep, memory, learning and muscle movements. Folate also helps treat depression by helping in the production of the feel-good hormone dopamine.
Collard greens really are an incredible vegetable, a superfood that can help in all areas of our health. Include it in your daily meals and reap all of the great benefits it provides!
SOURCE: http://www.searchherbalremedy.com/15-benefits-of-collard-greens-for-skin-hair-and-health/
