Kale what does it do

Request an Appointment Patient Online Services. Plainview Red Wing Sherburn St. James St. Peter Waseca Waterville Wells Zumbrota. Iowa Decorah Lake Mills. View map. Recent Posts. Speaking of Health. The bright green leaves look like ruffles. The flavor is pungent and peppery. Dinosaur kale has narrow green leaves that are wrinkly like dinosaur skin.

The leaves are attached to a firm stem that should be removed. Redbor kale is kale with ruffled leaves ranging in color from a deep red to purple. Russian kale is harder to find and it has flat fringed leaves that range in color from green to red to purple.

You probably would have to eat an excessive amount for this to happen, though. Kale also lists highly in the US for being contaminated with pesticides, so you should wash it thoroughly before eating it raw. Over 3 Million people read Morning Brew, you should too. Loading Something is loading. Email address. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know. Curly kale : This is the most commonly available type. It is usually bright green, dark green, or purple, with tight, ruffled leaves that are easy to tear.

To remove the leaves from the fibrous stalk, run your hand down the stalk in the direction of growth. Lacinato or dinosaur kale : This dark blue-green variety is firmer and more robust than curly kale. It is known as dinosaur kale because of its scaly texture. The leaves tend to be longer and flatter and maintain their texture after cooking. Less bitter than curly kale, dinosaur kale is ideal for making kale chips. Red Russian kale : This is a flat-leaf variety that looks a little like oak leaves.

The stalks are slightly purple, and the leaves have a reddish tinge. People may find the stalks too fibrous to eat, but the leaves are sweet and delicate, with a hint of pepper and lemon, almost like sorrel. People can add them raw to salads, sandwiches, and juices, or as a garnish. Kale grows well in the colder winter months, making a good addition when other fruits and vegetables are less readily available.

It is best to cook winter kale, as colder weather can turn the sugars in kale into starch, increasing the bitterness and fiber content. Raw: Scrunching the leaves briefly in the hands can make them easier to digest. Add to salads, sandwiches, wraps, or smoothies. Alternatively, steam for 5 minutes, then drain and stir in a dash of soy sauce and tahini. Kale chips : Remove the ribs from the kale and toss in olive oil or lightly spray and sprinkle with a combination of cumin, curry powder, chili powder, roasted red pepper flakes or garlic powder.

Smoothies : Add a handful of kale to any favorite smoothie. It will add nutrients without changing the flavor very much.

The Environmental Working Group , which assesses a range of products every year, put kale third on their list of fruits and vegetables most at risk of contamination with pesticides. People should wash kale thoroughly before using it. Beta-blockers : Doctors often prescribe this type of medication for heart disease. It can increase potassium levels in the blood. People who use beta-blockers should consume high potassium foods, such as kale, in moderation. Kidney disease : Consuming too much potassium can be harmful to people whose kidneys are not fully functional.

If the kidneys cannot remove excess potassium from the blood, consuming additional potassium could be fatal. Here are 7 chia seed benefits, all backed by science. People have used cayenne peppers medicinally for thousands of years.

They're also nutritious and great for cooking. Here are 6 benefits of cayenne…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Of all the super healthy greens, kale is king. It is definitely one of the healthiest and most nutritious plant foods in existence. Here are 10 health benefits of kale that are supported by science. Share on Pinterest. But many substances that happen to be antioxidants also have other important functions.

These substances have been studied thoroughly in test tubes and animals. Summary Many powerful antioxidants are found in kale, including quercetin and kaempferol, which have numerous beneficial effects on health. Summary Kale is extremely high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that has many important roles in the body. Cholesterol has many important functions in the body. Summary Kale contains substances that bind bile acids and lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Vitamin K is an important nutrient. Summary Vitamin K is an important nutrient that is involved in blood clotting. Cancer is a terrible disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cells. Summary Kale contains substances that have been shown to help fight cancer in test-tube and animal studies, but the human evidence is mixed.

Kale is often claimed to be high in vitamin A, but this is not entirely accurate. Summary Kale is very high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body can turn into vitamin A. Summary Many important minerals are found in kale, some of which are generally lacking in the modern diet.

One of the most common consequences of aging is that eyesight gets worse. Summary Kale is high in lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients that have been linked to a drastically reduced risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Kale has several properties that make it a weight loss friendly food. It is very low in calories but still provides significant bulk that should help you feel full. Summary As a nutrient-dense, low-calorie food, kale makes an excellent addition to a weight loss diet. The Bottom Line.