What are green leafy vegetables?
Leafy vegetables are also called dark green leafy vegetables, green salad, or pot herbs. They are plant leaves and eaten as a vegetable. Furthermore, Green leafy vegetables are a prime part of a healthy diet because it is full of vitamins, minerals, and fibers.
Leafy vegetables are widely used all over the world. It’s used in salads of different types and sandwiches. Many like to eat fresh, and others eat after cooking.
The content of vitamin K in leafy vegetables is very high. So, these are photosynthetic tissues, and phylloquinone is involved in photosynthesis. Therefore, users of vitamin K antagonist medications, such as warfarin, must take special care to limit the consumption of green leafy vegetables.
Healthiest green leafy vegetables
Different leafy vegetables are healthy for the body. So, here is the list of vegetables that are good for your health.
- Microgreens
Microgreens produce from the seeds of vegetables and herbs. It had used as a supplement and a visual enhancement. Also, add sweetness and spiciness to food. It contains 16% of protein, iron, calcium, potassium, and copper.
- Kale
Kale has considered one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables on the earth because it is rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains 3 grams of protein in one cup of kale with 33 calories. It is also rich in Vitamins A, C, and K.
- Collard Greens
Collard green considers the staple green vegetable of the south and is very similar to kale and spring greens. It is also a good source of calcium and vitamins A, B9, and C. It also contains 3 g of protein and 32 calories in one bowl of collard green.
- Spinach
Spinach is a popular green vegetable and incorporates in various dishes, including sauces, salad, and soup. Moreover, it plays a role in making red blood cells and preventing neural tube defects in pregnancy. It also contains 5.35 g of protein and 23 calories in one bowl of spinach.
- Cabbage
Cabbage is a bunch of thick leaves that come in green, purple, and white colors. It belongs to the brassica family, along with broccoli and kale. It gives a bitter flavor. Furthermore, cabbage may have cancer-protective properties. It contains 5.35 g protein and 0.47g fat.
- Watercress
Watercress is an aquatic plant similar to arugula and mustard greens. It contains healing properties and in herbal medicine for centuries. This is also beneficial in targeting cancer stem cells. It has 2.3 g of protein and 11 calories.