Famend for his or her thick leaves and earthy taste, collard greens are a culinary staple and a powerhouse of nutrients. They’re one of many first greens to pop up in my backyard within the spring and I like incorporating them into soups and stir-fries. Right here’s extra on their well being advantages and how one can make this versatile leafy inexperienced style nice (so even the youngsters will eat it!).

What Are Collard Greens?

Collard greens are a kind of “inexperienced leafy greens” you’re all the time listening to about. They could even be a vegetable that’s more durable to get children to eat (extra on that later). Collards and different leafy greens are the famous person veggies that may enable you to get sufficient calcium without dairy. However that’s not all they do.

Collards are additionally a part of a household referred to as cruciferous greens, or “brassica.” Different members of this household embrace broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, and Brussels sprouts. Nonetheless, radishes, turnips, and horseradish are additionally brassicas. 

Collards and different brassica greens are additionally recognized for a cleansing substance called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane might combat irritation, assist balanced hormones, and shield in opposition to continual illness. It’s so wanted that it’s additionally out there as a complement (I take advantage of BrocElite).

Whereas broccoli sprouts are the most effective meals supply, collards additionally present this tremendous nutrient.

Why Are Collard Greens Good for You?

Collard greens are a wonderful solution to get phytonutrients on an total low-carbohydrate eating regimen. Their carbohydrates primarily seem as dietary fiber. Whereas not totally digested, fiber helps to take care of a healthy microbiome. 

Dietary Breakdown of Collard Greens 

Collard greens are extremely nutritious and wealthy in nutritional vitamins. They’re filled with vitamin A (as beta carotene), B nutritional vitamins (particularly folate), and vitamin C. One cup of collard greens has over 300% of the every day worth for vitamin A. It additionally gives over 50% of the every day worth of vitamin C and almost half (44%) of the every day worth of folate. Whereas folic acid is made in a lab, folate is the naturally occurring model.

Together with kale, mustard greens, and Swiss chard, collards are among the best sources of vitamin K1. One cup of collards provides 836 mcg of vitamin K1. That’s a whopping 1,045 % of the really useful every day worth! Collards additionally present vital minerals like potassium, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, supporting bones, muscle groups, and total well being. 

These nutritional vitamins, minerals, and different vitamins are a part of why collard greens are so helpful to our well being. You’ll discover they assist many methods of the physique, together with the circulatory, gastrointestinal, and immune methods.

6 Well being Advantages of Collard Greens

Listed below are six research-backed methods collard greens might assist your total well being:

1. Selling Coronary heart Well being 

Many vitamins in collards are recognized for benefitting metabolic syndrome and decreasing the danger of coronary heart illness. The fiber and potassium in collards assist to decrease blood stress and blood sugar. This alone will help to decrease the danger of coronary heart assaults, strokes, and kind 2 diabetes.

2. Anti-Most cancers Results 

Collard greens present vitamin A (as beta carotene) and vitamin C. For these causes and extra, collards assist a wholesome immune system. A sturdy immune response is vital for safeguarding the physique in opposition to most cancers. 

Collard greens even have compounds like glucosinolates and sulforaphane, that are each topics of most cancers analysis. Glucosinolates are compounds which can be transformed to isothiocyanate (ITC). ITC protects the cells from injury that would result in most cancers.

Growing leafy inexperienced greens like collards within the eating regimen is a recognized technique for decreasing most cancers threat. Research have proven advantages for prostate, breast, pores and skin, bladder, oral, and colon cancers. 

3. Supporting Bone Well being 

Alongside with vitamin K2 present in animal meals, the vitamin K1 in collard greens is essential for bone well being. Our our bodies want vitamin Okay for calcium absorption and to scale back the danger of fractures. The mixture of calcium, vitamin Okay, and vitamin D (from each plant and animal meals) helps guard in opposition to growing osteoporosis.

4. Good For The Eyes

Collards also can powerfully assist eye well being. A superb supply of beta carotene (pro-vitamin A) and lutein, collard greens will help preserve wholesome imaginative and prescient over time. Getting loads of leafy greens like collards might result in a decrease threat of age-related macular degeneration.

5. Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

Some compounds in collard greens have anti-inflammatory properties. For that motive, together with them frequently might profit circumstances like arthritis and different inflammatory diseases. Antioxidants in collards like lutein, carotenoids, and zeaxanthin assist combat free radicals. The lowered oxidative stress all through the physique helps to decrease irritation.

6. Supporting Intestine Well being

The fiber in leafy greens helps digestive well being by selling a wholesome microbiome. Finally, that may contribute to regularity and avoiding constipation. It might even assist weight reduction. Researchers have additionally discovered a singular sugar in inexperienced leafy greens referred to as sulfoquinovose (SQ). This sugar helps feed good intestine micro organism, supporting digestion.

Who Ought to Keep away from Collard Greens?

Collard greens are a wonderful meals for the overwhelming majority of us. Nonetheless, these at present on blood thinning drugs like Warfarin ought to be cautious.

As a result of collards are excessive in vitamin Okay (named after the German phrase Koagulationsvitamin), they promote blood clotting. That’s often factor, because it retains us from bleeding out in case of an damage. Nonetheless, it additionally means meals excessive in vitamin Okay can intervene with how blood-thinning medication work. If you happen to plan on including extra leafy greens to your eating regimen, make sure to preserve your physician within the loop. 

Sometimes, collard greens might come up on a food allergy test. If that’s the case, you’ll wish to keep away from them till your immune system is again in steadiness.

Collard greens in any other case don’t are inclined to have unwanted side effects — except you eat giant quantities. In that case, the fiber might trigger uncomfortable bloating and digestive misery. A serving or two goes a great distance!

What About Oxalates?

Some individuals might wonder if collard greens are high in oxalates. Oxalates are compounds in sure crops which will trigger well being points in case your intestine micro organism can not break them down. 

General, collard greens are decrease in oxalates than spinach, kale, and different leafy greens. If you happen to’re limiting your oxalates due to hypothyroidism, kidney stones, or different well being circumstances, collards is usually a safer possibility.

How you can Get Your Collard Greens In

When purchasing for collard greens, search for fresh-looking, darkish inexperienced leaves with no blemishes or wilting. The freshest leaves come straight from the garden. They’re wonderful sauteed on the stovetop with olive oil and garlic. Nonetheless, they’re fairly versatile and work effectively in lots of dishes. Listed below are some methods to include extra collards into your meals:

• Salads: Finely chop or shred the greens and use them as a base for salads. Therapeutic massage the leaves with olive oil and lemon juice to melt them, such as you would kale. For instance, substitute them for kale in this salad recipe.  
• Soups and Stews: Add chopped collards to soups, stews, or broths. They add vitamins and a singular taste. Attempt collards instead of kale in Sweet Potato Zuppa Toscana.
• Wraps: Use blanched collard leaves as a more healthy different to tortillas or wraps. Fill them along with your favourite elements like hummus, greens, and your favourite protein. Uncooked collard greens are well-liked in uncooked meals diets as wraps. Give it a attempt by utilizing collards as an alternative of chard on this scrumptious Chard Wrapped Salmon recipe. 
• Stuffed Collard Leaves: Make stuffed collard greens by filling blanched leaves with a combination of grains, beans, and spices, then rolling them up and baking or steaming them till tender.
• Braised Collard Greens: Gradual-cook collard greens with broth, onions, and your alternative of seasoning till tender and flavorful. Pink pepper flakes can add an additional zing. Within the American South, collard greens are a well-liked facet dish. Southerners wish to taste them with bacon fats and garlic and serve them alongside smoked pork.
• Inexperienced Smoothies: You can even use them in smoothies for an added nutrient enhance. They mix effectively with fruits and different greens like spinach. A high-speed blender works greatest for these robust leaves.  

Whether or not cooked or uncooked, collard greens provide a singular style and texture that may complement a variety of dishes.

Do you eat collard greens? What’s your favourite solution to put together them? Share with us under!