Research is showing that less that 10% of people in the UK are eating 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day so can you imagine how many portions of greens DON”T get eaten!
So why are greens so amazing? Studies continuously confirm that populations that eat a diet high in green leafy vegetables run a far lower risk of heart disease and other chronic diseases.
Fresh raw green leafy vegetables contain high doses of chlorophyll, easily digestible proteins, enzymes and a wide range of vitamins and minerals. Leafy greens include: rocket, spinach, dandelion greens, kale, different cabbage varieties, Chinese lettuce, watercress, parsley, lettuce, endive, chicory, Brussel sprouts, sprout tops, bean sprouts, broccoli sprouts and mustard sprouts and many many more.
The wonder of chlorophyll: it is the chlorophyll that gives plants their glorious green. Interestingly on a molecular level the structure of chlorophyll is identical to haemoglobin in human blood except for the central atom. In chlorophyll this is magnesium and in human blood this is iron. It is the chlorophyll in the plant cells that synthesizes sunlight into energy, so I like to think of eating greens of as having liquid sunshine. Greens can rejuvenate the liver, it has antibacterial properties, can be a wound healer and as an anti inflammatory it has protective qualities against many chronic diseases. It also helps promote calcium absorption as it acts similarly to vitamin D.
So what are your favourite greens, for me I love kale and savoy cabbage, rocket leaves and romaine lettuce but not at all keen on broccoli. xx