By now, you've probably heard all the clever catch phrases. "Kale is king." Kale is the "queen of green." And of course this one: Kale is the "superfood of the stars."
Yes, kale is enjoying a meteoric rise in popularity, but it wasn't always so popular. Prior to 2011, when actress Gwenyth Paltrow introduced mainstream America to the leafy green vegetable by making kale chips on national television, most people didn't care much for kale.
But if it's good enough for a huge, health-obsessed celebrity like Paltrow, it's got to be good enough for everyone else, right?
Right!
Since its appearance on national television, kale has become the nation's vegetable Grail–the ultimate superfood for people committed healthy eating, living right and weight loss.
A quick look at some of kale's inherent benefits shows that its current status as the go-to health food is well deserved:
- Kale is low in calories and high in fiber. One cup of the leafy green vegetable has just 36 calories and five grams of fiber, meaning you can eat a lot, feel full and not worry about gaining weight. That's a perfect recipe for weight loss.
- Kale is good for your joints. One cup of kale delivers an impressive 10 percent of the recommended daily amount of omega-3 fatty acids, which help fight arthritis, asthma, autoimmune disorders and other health issues that can keep you from exercising. And as you know, exercise is a critical component to weight loss.
- Kale is all about antioxidants. Carotenoids and flavonoids help fight cancer–and kale is chock full of both.
- Kale makes you look better. Want to look in the mirror and see vibrant, clear skin? Eat more kale. It's full of vitamin A, which helps your vision and your skin.
- Kale is good for your cardiovascular system. You're all about weight loss, right? That's why you work out. Believe it or not, kale can help you maximize the benefits of your workouts because it helps lower your blood pressure, which means you'll breathe easier when you're on the treadmill or bike.
- Kale actually tastes great. This is important.
