Health Benefits of Greens For Winter Health

Summer isn't the only time for healthy eating! Winter also has its own seasonal vegetables and fruits that help us adapt to those long cold months. Greens are available throughout winter and are supercharged with the nutrients our bodies need to helps us through a long winter. Eat these greens to supercharge your immune system and avoid colds and flu.

• Kale - rich in vitamins K, A, C, B6, E, manganese and fiber. Kale contains sulfur compounds that inhibit breast and ovarian cancers. Chopping and even chewing kale releases sulfo raphane which activates the liver to detoxify cancer-causing chemicals. Beta-carotene in kale lowers the risk of skin cancer and the vitamin A lowers the risk of lung cancer. Good for the heart, lungs, mental clarity, joints, bones and skin. Enjoy kale steamed or sauté with garlic and a dash of butter and sea salt.

• Collard Greens - collards are mild in taste and are a rich source of vitamins K, A, C, E, manganese, folate, and calcium all of which help the body detoxify, eliminating harmful toxins. These nutrients also lower the risk of prostate, colorectal and lung cancers. They rid the body of inflammation that causes degenerative diseases like atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis, diabetes and colon cancer. Collards provide calcium for the bones and prevent bone loss and reduce PMS symptoms. Vitamin A helps prevent colds and earaches. And good news for those that have hot flashes-collard greens reduce the symptoms of menopause! Enjoy lightly steamed or sauté with black-eyed peas and brown rice.

• Turnip Greens - this is the SuperGreen! Turnips greens have so many different nutrients that regular consumption can heal a wide range of ailments. Nutrient dense in vitamins K, A, C, B6, E, folate, and calcium, these greens boost the immune system and help the body produce the connective tissue and synovial fluid around the joints. Another bone builder, it has plenty of calcium and helps prevent cancer, the heart and lungs. Enjoy sautéd with beans and brown rice or sweet potatoes.

These super winter greens can be mixed for all an around healthy lunch or dinner, steamed or sautéd with your other favorite additions like beans, peas, black-eyed peas, garlic, vinegars, oils, or butter and sea salt. Just be sure to have a touch of healthy fat to absorb and assimilate the vitamin E and you will be good to go.