7 benefits of kale, from improving digestion to helping fight cancer - Business Insider India

• Kale is packed with minerals like iron, manganese, calcium, copper, and potassium.
• It may also help fight heart disease by lowering cholesterol and aiding weight loss.
• The antioxidants, sulfurous compounds, and fiber in kale may help contribute to cancer prevention.

Kale is a dark, leafy vegetable that is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. In fact, kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods in the world - one serving has over 450% of your daily value of vitamin K. Eating kale can help boost your health by providing antioxidants, fighting heart disease, and helping to prevent cancer. Here are seven science-backed benefits of adding kale to your diet.

1. Provides antioxidants

"Like other leafy greens, kale is rich in antioxidants," says Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, nutritionist and co-author of Sugar Shock.

Medical term: Antioxidants help guard your body against damage from compounds in the environment called free radicals. Free radicals can cause a variety of health problems, from cancer to Alzheimer's disease to heart disease, says Cassetty.

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Kale contains several important antioxidants - two cups of raw kale contains:

• Beta-carotene, 1.2 mg, 150% of your recommended daily intake (RDI)
• Vitamin C, 38.4 mg, 46% of your RDI
• Chlorogenic acid, 1,148.8 mg
• Lutein, 79.2 mg

2. May help fight heart disease

"Kale's high fiber content is a beneficial addition to the diet if you're worried about heart disease risk," says Julie Stefanski, RDN, a registered...

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