EAT YOUR GREENS!

Learn why these superfoods packed with vitamins and nutrients are exactly what you need right now.

29th April, 2020

Remember your mother forcing you to “finish your greens” even as you tried to sneak away from the dinner table after polishing off your favourite foods? Mom always knows best! Here’s 6 reasons why you should include these superfoods in your daily diet…

1. Prevents memory loss: Several studies have shown that including greens in at least 2 meals daily helps combat age-related cognitive decline and memory loss. The reason being that green vegetables are rich in folate, lutein, alpha-tocopherol, nitrate, phylloquinone and kaempferol. These are brain nutrients that help maintain brain health.
2. Promotes hair growth: Basic vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for hair growth, like vitamins A, C, E, zinc and iron, are found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, indian saag.
3. Boosts eye health: Apart from vitamin A, which is considered to be great for maintaining eyesight and preventing night blindness, the two other important components—lutein and zeaxanthin—found in dark green leafy vegetables also play a vital role in protecting the retina.
4. Improves skin texture: Green leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and helps in detoxifying the skin. Kale, especially, has been considered as one of the best greens to have for healthy skin.
5. Maintains heart health: Several studies have shown that a good intake of green leafy vegetables in a diet can lower the risk of heart ailments. They are a good source of vitamin K and nitrates that help manage blood pressure.
6. Increases good gut bacteria: In addition to being rich in fiber, thereby helping bowel movement, green leafy vegetables are rich in a specific type of sugar that helps the growth of good gut bacteria.

Caution: Try not to over cook these greens or add soda-bi-carb to maintain the green colour while cooking as important nutrients get destroyed in the process.

Green food hacks

Here are 3 interesting ways to incorporate greens in your diet…

1. Stuff them in parathas/ rotis
2. Include them in purees for pastas
3. Chop and add them in dals