How does kale fight cancer?
According to a recent study, kale is considered a superfood, kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) is a cruciferous vegetable, characterized by leaves along the stem, which, in recent years, have gained great popularity as a ´superfood´. Kale is known to be in the cruciferous vegetable family and as such these are known to potentially prevent DNA damage and metastatic cancer spread. It is also known to activate our defense and fight off pathogens that could lead to many illnesses.
Kale is a great source of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. As you know antioxidants scavenge free radicals from the body cells and prevent or reduce the damage caused by oxidation. Experts believe that free radicals play a role in cancer development and as such, I have made kale a top priority to include in my cancer prevention diet. Kale along with other green vegetables also contain chlorophyll, a pigment that gives green plants their color. Chlorophyll (CHL) has shown potential as a cancer treatment, a study shows how CHL has been shown to exhibit potent antigenotoxic, anti-oxidant, and anticancer effects.
Kale is a fantastic cancer fighter but not only that, as it also offers some additional health benefits like:
- Most nutrient-dense food
- Loaded with antioxidants like quercetin & kaempferol
- Great source of vitamin K
- Great source of minerals
- Supports bone health
- Protects against diabetes helps lower glucose levels
- Supports heart health by lower cholesterol levels
- Prevents constipation and helps with digestions
- Great source of beta carotene for skin and hair health
- Supports eye health as it is loaded with Lutein and Zeaxanthin
- Supports weight loss
According to Self Nutrition Data, a cup of chopped raw kale (about 67 grams or 2.4 ounces) contains:
Vitamin A: 206% of the DV (from beta-carotene)
Vitamin K: 684% of the DV
Vitamin C: 134% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 9% of the DV
Manganese: 26% of the DV
Calcium: 9% of the DV
Copper: 10% of the DV
Potassium: 9% of the DV
Magnesium: 6% of the DV
ALSO: Prevention of Breast Cancer With FoodIt also contains 3% or more of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), iron and phosphorus. This is coming with a total of 33 calories, 6 grams of carbs (2 of which are fiber) and 3 grams of protein.
If you have not implemented kale in your diet, you may want to consider it now. People usually eat it raw, steam, boil or sautee. It is a great addition to any of your salads, sandwiches, smoothies, wraps, bowls, and my favorite, of course, kale chips. I personally love kale in my fresh green juice or in my fresh salads with my special homemade Camu Camu dressing.
The bottom line is that kale is a wonderful addition to a variety of diets. I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this blog post and perhaps learned something new. As always I welcome your comments in the box below and of course I would love to hear how you use kale in your healthy diet. I want to leave you with this beautiful promise God gave me when I was first diagnosed and felt scared and confused as to what diet to follow and what road to take in my healing… I now impart it to you.
“Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.” Acts 27:34