Eating a balanced and nutritious diet is essential to good health.
Leafy greens are a crucial part of this dietary equation, containing various vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other beneficial compounds that help promote overall well-being.
However, when it comes to getting your daily dose of greens, many people struggle as they don’t know how much or which types of leafy vegetables are best for them.
This blog post will explore why eating your greens is so important for health and well-being and provide recommendations on choosing the right type for you.
Excited? Let’s dive straight in.
Optimal Brain Function
One of the many benefits of eating leafy greens is the brain’s optimal functioning.
You must be thinking about how eating leafy greens can make our brains work properly, right? Well, it’s pretty simple.
Most leafy greens have Folate (B9) at a higher level, and the presence of B vitamins is related to the production of neurotransmitters (the chemicals that pass the message from the brain to the entire human body).
Whether we talk about spinach, lettuce, or broccoli, Folate will be present in all of them, meaning that eating them will strengthen your brain in more ways than you can even think of.
Fully Functional Immune System
To maintain optimal health, it is vital to bolster our immune systems.
Fortunately, we have nature’s medicine cabinet at the ready: dark green vegetables are a rich source of Vitamin A – an essential nutrient that aids in cellular growth and differentiation while providing support for organ functions as well.
Without ample amounts of this powerful vitamin present in one’s body, immunity can be significantly weakened, making us more vulnerable than ever before to illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria alike.
Better Gut Health
Eating leafy greens is a powerful way to bolster your gut health.
These nutrient-filled plants contain proteins that interact with cell receptors and stimulate the production of innate lymphoid cells, which protect against bad bacteria, inflammatory diseases, and obesity.
Without these protective components in our system, we are more prone to autoimmune disease and less able to break down food for its nutrients – making it clear why strong digestive well-being should not be overlooked!
Lower stress
Stress is an understandable yet unavoidable part of everyday life, and its consequences can significantly affect our physical and psychological well-being.
With no single remedy to manage the effects, adding greens containing Folate (also known as Vitamin B9) into your diet could improve mental health!
Finnish scientists have conducted medically reviewed studies that show Folate helps with neurotransmitter production in the brain – like serotonin and dopamine – which are associated with feelings of euphoria.
It has also been linked to decreasing depressive symptoms considerably.
Lower blood pressure
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a known risk factor for heart disease and strokes.
The good news is that there are ways to tackle this issue with simple dietary changes! For example, incorporating just one to two servings of dark leafy greens – which contain nitrates essential in managing blood pressure levels – into your daily diet can help lower hypertension within 24 hours.
A recent study revealed even further benefits: you not only reduce the average diastolic blood pressure significantly over three days but also improve your blood vessels’ health– without spending money on costly treatments.
Strong bones
Taking care of our bones is essential for a happy and healthy life.
As we age, calcium absorption in the body can be difficult; however, drinking milk isn’t your only solution to increasing your intake – dark leafy greens are another great way to ensure you receive enough!
Kale and dandelion greens offer high amounts of calcium that require minimal effort when preparing: they’re easily enjoyed raw or cooked according to individual tastes.
Concluding remarks
You should consume more vegetables because they are essential for a balanced diet. Vegetables provide the body with important vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Fiber helps to regulate digestion and can also help to lower cholesterol levels.
In addition, many vegetables are low in calories and fat, making them ideal for people who are trying to lose weight or maintain their current weight.
So next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to pick up some greens.
