GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES, WHAT IS IT ABOUT THEM?

Green leafy vegetables are not very common in our diets nowadays. I remember when I was still living with my mother, she ensures that we eat a lot of green leafy vegetables and although she may not know how to explain the benefits to us to convince us in eating it, she sure believed it was high in nutrient value. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, fruited pumpkin, lettuce etc are very essential as they help in giving us a healthy body.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EATING GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES?

The benefits of green leafy vegetables cannot be overemphasized. Below are some of the benefits:

1. High in antioxidants: green leafy vegetables contain a lot of vitamins. It contains vitamin C which helps in fighting arthritis and bone fractions. It contains vitamin E which helps to keep the skin glowing and healthy and also protects the skin from harmful sun rays. There is also the presence of vitamin K in leafy vegetables and vitamin K produces osteocalcin which is important in maintaining bone health. Vitamin A which is good for good eyesight especially for children can also be found in green leafy vegetables.

2. High in minerals. Green leafy vegetables are high in minerals. It contains calcium which helps for strong bone and teeth. They are good source of iron which helps prevent your hair from falling off and also helps increase the body's haemoglobin level. It contains magnesium which helps in muscle growth. Eating meals high in magnesium has been know to be effective in managing diabetes.

3. Source of fibre: Fibre helps in easy bowel movement and also aids easy digestion of food.

4. Green leafy vegetables helps in weight loss as they are low in calories. Eating green leafy vegetables keeps the stomach full because of the fibre content and this help controls the amount of food taken in thereby helping with weight loss.

5. Green leafy vegetables protect the eyes. The presence of carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin helps to reduce the risk of cataract which is the major cause of blindness in old people. These carotenoids also help in fighting muscle degeneration.

6. Source of folate: folate helps in reduction of cardiovascular diseases and memory loss. Folate also contributes to the production of serotonin which helps improve mood thereby fighting depression.

7. Green leafy vegetables contains water and helps keep the body hydrated during hot weather.

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Now you have more reasons to make your meal green. Get a leafy vegetables today and stay healthy and young.

For more on this topic pleass read the following references;
Leafy green vegetables
Vegetables