Of all the super healthy greens to eat or drink, kale is the king.  It is definitely one of the healthiest and most nutritious plant foods in existence.  Kale is loaded with all sorts of beneficial compounds… some of which have powerful medicinal properties.

Here are 10 health & nutritional benefits of Kale

1. Kale is Among The Most Nutrient Dense Food on The Planet

Kale is a popular vegetable, a member of the cabbage family (Brassica oleracea).

It is related to cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and brussels sprouts.  There are many different types of kale. The leaves can be green or purple in color, and have either a smooth or curly shape.  The most common type of kale is called curly kale or Scots kale, which has green and curly leaves and a hard, fibrous stem which is used to make our iJuice Kale.

A single cup of raw kale (about 67 grams or 2.4 ounces) contains:

• Vitamin A: 206% of the RDA (from beta-carotene).
• Vitamin K: 684% of the RDA.
• Vitamin C: 134% of the RDA.
• Vitamin B6: 9% of the RDA.
• Manganese: 26% of the RDA.
• Calcium: 9% of the RDA.
• Copper: 10% of the RDA.
• Potassium: 9% of the RDA.
• Magnesium: 6% of the RDA.
• Then it contains 3% or more of the RDA for Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Iron and Phosphorus.

2. Kale is Loaded With Powerful Antioxidants

Kale, like other leafy greens, is very high in antioxidants.  This includes beta-carotene, vitamin C, as well as various flavonoids and polyphenols.  Antioxidants are substances that help counteract oxidative damage by free acids in the body. Oxidative stress is believed to be among the leading drivers of aging and many diseases, including cancer.

 The flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, which are found in relatively large amounts in kale and may lower blood pressure. Kale may have anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antidepressant and anti-cancer effects… to name a few.

3. Kale is an Excellent Source of Vitamin C

Kale is higher in vitamin C than most other vegetables, containing about 4.5 times much as spinach.  The truth is… kale is actually among the world’s best sources of Vitamin C.  A cup of raw kale even contains more vitamin C than a whole orange.

4. Kale Can Help Lower Cholesterol, Which May Reduce The Risk of Heart Disease

Kale contains bile salt sequestrants, which can lower acid levels in the blood and tissues. This should lead to a reduced risk of heart disease over time.  One study found that daily consumption of kale juice for 12 weeks increased HDL (the “good”) cholesterol by 27% and lowered LDL levels by 10%, while also improving antioxidant status.  According to one study, steaming kale dramatically increases the bile acid binding effect. Steamed kale is actually 43% as potent as cholestyramine, a cholesterol lowering drug that functions in this way.

5. Kale is One of The World’s Best Sources of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is an important nutrient.  It is absolutely critical for blood clotting, and does this by “activating” certain proteins and giving them the ability to bind calcium.  Kale is one of the world’s best sources of vitamin K, with a single raw cup containing almost 7 times the recommended daily amount.  It may help in prevention of heart disease and osteoporosis.

6. There Are Numerous Cancer-Fighting Substances in Kale

Kale is actually loaded with compounds that are believed to have protective effects against cancer.  This includes sulforaphane, a substance that has been shown to help fight the formation of cancer at the molecular level.  It also contains a indole-3-carbinol, another substance that is believed to help prevent cancer.  Studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables (including kale) may significantly lower the risk of several cancers, although the evidence in humans is mixed.

7. Kale is Very High in Beta-Carotene

Kale is often claimed to be high in vitamin A, but this is false.

It is actually high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body can turn into vitamin A..  For this reason, kale can be an effective way to increase your body’s levels of this very important vitamin.

8. Kale is a Good Source of Minerals

Kale is high in minerals, some of which many people are deficient in. It is a good source of magnesium, an incredibly important mineral that most people don’t get enough of. Eating plenty of magnesium may be protective against type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  Kale also contains quite a bit of potassium, a mineral that helps maintain electrical gradients in the body’s cells. Adequate potassium intake has been linked to reduced blood pressure and a lower risk of heart disease.  One advantage that kale has over leafy greens like spinach, is that it is low in oxalate, a substance found in some plants that can prevent minerals from being absorbed.

9. Kale is High in Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Powerful Nutrients That Protect the Eyes

One of the most common consequences of ageing is that eyesight gets worse.  Fortunately, there are several nutrients in the diet that can help prevent this from happening.  Two of the main ones are lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoid antioxidants that are found in large amounts in kale and some other foods.  Many studies have shown that people who eat enough lutein and zeaxanthin have a much lower risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, two very common eye disorders.

10. Kale May Help You Lose Weight

Kale has several properties that should make it a weight loss friendly food.  It is very low in calories… but still provides significant bulk that should help you feel full.  Eating plenty of foods with a low energy density has been shown to aid weight loss in numerous studies.  

Start Drinking Kale Juice Today!

The taste of Kale is absolutely delicious!  You can add iJuice kale to your smoothies in order to boost the nutritional value or you can add it to a glass of alkaline water, stir a drink.   At the end of the day, Kale is definitely one of the healthiest and most nutritious foods on the planet. If you want to dramatically boost the amount of nutrients you take in, consider ordering your jar of iJuice Kale today.

TESTIMONIALS

"I absolutely love the iJuice products! I travel a lot for work and have to drink my daily anti-inflammatory juice and smoothie, and now I take my green powders with me. I love iJuice Spinach, Kale, Barley, Supergreens and Chlorophyll. Highly recommended! Must have in your pantry always." -- Katherine M.

"I love this kale juice powder. It is tasty and super easy to use for my juice and smoothie. I also take it with me when I travel" -- Rita M.

"I add iJuice Kale and iJuice Spinach to my morning smoothie and I love the taste. Will order again." -- Michael T.

"Easy way to add some nutrients and flavor to smoothies and soups with iJuice Kale. Much better than I thought it would taste!"-- Samantha L.

"This iJuice product makes it so easy to get the Kale I need daily. I add it to my favorite beverage or in a smoothie. I recommend it" -- Dorine M.

"iJuice Kale is great. One of the things I love is convenient it is to be able to scoop it into my smoothie. We have always added fresh kale to our smoothies, but fresh kale admittedly takes a long time to wash and de-stem. This was so easy, just scoop, mix and drink. Also I love how it tasted consistent and fresh every time. We used to buy a lot fresh kale and the taste and color varied quite a bit, we could tell it wasn't always as fresh as we wanted. iJuice kale powder is perfect every time. We love this and will continue purchasing for our smoothies. Thank you." -- Jane B.