Good-For-You Green Foods

We all know that green vegetables are good for us, but what may be news to you is that they are not only beneficial to our waistline and cardiovascular health but may also help slow down cognitive decline. Here are the top 3 veggies you should include in your diet today. 

Leafy Vegetables

If ever you needed convincing that spinach, kale, collards, and lettuce have incredible health benefits, this may be the proof you’ve been looking for. According to a study done by the American Academy of Neurology, consuming these types of vegetables “may help to slow decline in cognitive abilities with older age, perhaps due to the neuroprotective actions of lutein, folate, β-carotene, and phylloquinone. The addition of a daily serving of green leafy vegetables to one's diet may be a simple way to contribute to brain health”. Consuming just one to two servings a day was comparative to “being 11 years younger compared with those who rarely or never consumed green leafy vegetables”.[1]

Broccoli

King among cruciferous vegetables, broccoli is chock-full of nutrients that have shown to be good for your heart. Consuming cruciferous vegetables has been shown to aid in “reducing CVD risk” and associated with “reduced cardiovascular mortality, subclinical atherosclerosis and 15-year atherosclerotic vascular disease deaths in older adult women”.[2] Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables such as brussels sprouts, bok choy and cabbage have positive effects on heart health because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Green Peas

According to the Mayo Clinic, green peas have the highest fiber count with nine grams per one-cup serving.[3] Fiber is essential to our overall health. It helps with bowel movements and health, helps maintain good cholesterol levels, aids maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels, and contributes to attaining a healthy body weight.

Integrating a bit of green into your daily meals is a simple, concrete, and positive way to up your nutrition game. Why not include some in tonight’s meal?