Collard greens are popular green leafy vegetables that are consumed mostly in the Southern US. Collard greens nutrition is one of the main reasons why people enjoy it so much. But let’s not say that the popularity of collard greens is limited to only the US.
Over the years, collard greens have become extremely popular, and many people follow a collard greens diet. This leafy vegetable belongs to the Brassica family consisting of Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, mustard green, and broccoli. There are simultaneous collard green benefits and side effects, but you shouldn’t refrain from enjoying it.
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Facts about Collard Green Nutrition
If you want to enjoy collard greens nutrition, you need to steam it. Steam allows retaining the flavor as well. Some of the nutritious varieties of collard green include Georgia LS, Vates, Champion, and Flash.
Collard is low in calories, which is why it is consumed on a massive scale. However, this nutritious vegetable is free of cholesterol and has low sodium content. Collard greens are a rich source of vitamin C, A, and K.
According to experts, collard greens tend to offer around 400% of the dietary recommended intake of vitamin K. Since it is so rich in vitamin K, patients who consume blood-thinning medicines like warfarin and coumadin should refrain from consuming collards. Apart from vitamin K, collard greens are rich in calcium and manganese, required for major body functions.
Collard Greens Nutrition for Skin and Hair
A healthy collard greens diet can play an important role in enhancing skin quality.
Collard greens are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin K. Hence, the collard green nutrition helps to boost collagen and sebum production, which is necessary for maintaining skin health and boosting hair growth.
Vitamin A for Skin and Hair
The vitamin A content of collard greens is essential for sebum production. Following a proper collard green diet induces natural sebum production. As a result, your hair roots are moisturized. Lack of moisture in hair roots and scalp is one of the main reasons you may suffer from thinning or breaking hair. Moisture around the hair roots helps to strengthen the strands.
Vitamin A is also required for the healthy functioning of the bodily tissues. The adequate amount of vitamin A helps in the growth of body tissues, which is necessary for hair and skin. The vitamin A content of collard greens is responsible for the healthy functioning of the eye. Moreover, it is known to boost immunity while keeping organs healthy.
Vitamin C: The main component
Vitamin C is the most required vitamin by the body to boost natural collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein required by skin and hair. Many women consume vitamin C supplements for strengthening hair roots and boosting hair growth. But you won’t have to do so much to see the positive effects. Following a proper collard greens diet would be enough to boost natural collagen production in the body, thereby promoting hair growth.
According to reports, the vitamin C requirement for a man is 90mg, while that of a woman is 75mg. One cup of boiled collard greens can offer around 35mg of vitamin C.
Iron
Iron deficiency has been considered to be one of the main causes of hair loss in women. And honestly, there’s nothing more frustrating than hair loss for a woman. Iron deficiency in the body leads to anemia, which is the root cause of all the ‘unwanted’ hair loss. Furthermore, iron deficiency can also have an impact on how your body uses all the energy.
Spinach, tuna, and collard greens are rich in iron, which is why they can cover up for the iron deficiency in the body. One boiled cup of collard green offers around 2.5mg of iron. Accordingly, the daily recommended intake value for iron in adults is 8mg, while that for pregnant women is 18mg.
Reduces Stress
Stress is one of the main reasons why so many people are prone to early signs of aging. Excessive stress brings about hair fall and wrinkles. This surely isn’t very pleasant. However, collard greens contain choline, an essential neurotransmitter. Choline improves mood, enhance concentration power, and learning capacity.
Thus, collard greens nutrition has a positive impact on the mind, which plays an important role in reducing stress. Folate in choline is also responsible for reducing stress. Folate boosts homocysteine formation in the body, which is responsible for fighting depression.
Fights digestion issues
Digestive issues are one of the main reasons why you may be prone to aging. Digestive issues make your body weak, thereby taking away all the natural beauty. Consuming collard greens can help to fight digestion issues easily.
Collard greens have high water content and are rich in fiber as well. As a result, collard greens help to fight constipation. The regular and healthy digestive tract can help to enhance your natural beauty, thereby improving skin health.
It helps you sleep better
Choline in collard greens helps boost sleep. A collard greens diet ensures the healthy functioning of the body. As your body relaxes, you get to sleep better. It maintains your overall mood, thereby helping you relax.
What are the side effects?
There are several collard greens benefits and side-effects. The benefits include
- Improves mood
- Boosts metabolism
- Enhances the immune system
- Fights digestive issues.
On the other hand, the side effects of collard greens include
● People on blood-thinning medicines should avoid the consumption of collard greens because it promotes blood clotting.
How to consume collard greens diet?
Having a collard greens diet as long as it is a part of a varied diet. Never follow a sole collard green diet. It is better to follow a varied collard green diet consisting of various fruits and vegetables.
Takeaway
Collard greens are extremely nutritious. You should keep track of collard greens nutrition to have the maximum. Adding this versatile vegetable can be a great addition to your savory dishes.
