This Green Veggie Is The Underrated Superfood Your Diet Needs Right Now | Health

While everyone is loving broccoli, it’s time to turn our attention to mustard greens, another member of the Brassica family. This spicy vegetable is worth adding to your plate for a few reasons. Mustard greens, like other dark leafy greens, are packed with nutrients. Now is a great time to add them to your diet if you haven’t already. Research suggests that leafy greens may help prevent a number of chronic diseases. Mustard greens are a colorful vegetable that grows best in temperate climates. The most popular color is green, but there are also beautiful dark red varieties.

Health Benefits of Mustard Greens

This leafy green is a staple in Indian, Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisines. In the United States, mustard greens are iconic in Southern cuisine, though they aren’t as popular elsewhere. While kale and broccoli have gotten more attention in the health world, mustard greens have long been prized by cultures that have included them in their diets for generations. Mustard greens are incredibly nutritious and packed with essential nutrients. They’re loaded with antioxidants, which help protect against oxidative stress caused by free radicals, reducing inflammation. They’re also high in fiber and low in calories, making them a high-volume food that will keep you full on fewer calories.

Additionally, mustard greens provide over 100 percent of your daily needs for vitamin K, a fat-soluble vitamin that many people are deficient in. They also contain other fat-soluble vitamins like A and E, which are even more absorbable when cooked. Additionally, mustard greens are rich in glucosinolates, sulfur, and nitrogen-containing compounds found in other Brassica vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties and may protect against cancer.

Spice up your meals with mustard greens

These greens have a spicier flavor than kale or Brussels sprouts, but their unique taste makes them a versatile ingredient in the kitchen. You can simply sauté them with garlic, olive oil, salt, and a squeeze of lemon for a quick and tasty dish. For a twist, add them to smoothies along with sweeter fruits like bananas and dates to balance out the crunch. Adding a variety of vegetables to your diet will not only keep things interesting in the kitchen, but will also increase your overall nutritional intake.