Discover the Health Benefits of Turnip Greens

Turnip greens contain a wealth of nutrients that can benefit various aspects of your health. Like other types of leafy greens, turnip greens can deliver minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants to the body. A member of the cruciferous plant family that includes broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale, turnip greens are among the most nutrient-rich greens you can eat. Low in calories, turnip greens can be part of your healthy diet. While the leaves and root of the turnip are quite edible too, it’s the stem and the plant’s leafy green pieces that offer the most benefit to health. If you want to add more phytonutrients to your diet, be sure to consume more turnip greens and get to know the health benefits that have to offer.

Reduce Inflammation

If you suffer from inflammation, consider adding turnip greens to your diet. These greens are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin K. Omega-3 fatty acids are building blocks for the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory compounds. Vitamin K, on the other hand, helps to regulate the body’s response to inflammation. Together, these nutrients can be a powerful force in helping your body reduce inflammation. High levels of inflammation are linked to disease onset. Warding away inflammation, therefore, may help you prevent certain serious health conditions.

Healthy Eyes

Consuming turnip greens can help you protect your eyes and safeguard your vision. The lutein contained in just a single serving of these greens constitutes 70% of your daily lutein needs. Lutein helps to prevent macular deterioration. Additionally, turnip greens are rich in vitamin A. This vitamin enhances your night vision or your vision in situations in reduced light. When buying turnip greens, be sure to look for greens that are deep green in color and aren’t wilted.

Lung Support

Research has demonstrated that a diet rich in turnip greens can support optimum lung health. If you smoke or live with someone who does, your body is likely experiencing a reduction in vitamin A. Considered to be a carcinogenic, tobacco smoke can cause the body to be depleted from vitamin A. Without enough of this nutrient, the lungs can swell and can even lead to the development of emphysema. Because turnip greens are rich in vitamin A, they can help your lungs get the vitamin A they need to maintain health.

Supports Bone Health

Research has shown that a deficiency in vitamin K can leave a person at increased risk for fractures. With its rich source of vitamin K, turnips greens can be a significant support for bone health. Vitamin K enhances calcium absorption. Your bones require calcium for optimum health. Not only are turnip greens high in vitamin K, but they are also ultra-rich in calcium. In fact, they are one of the most calcium-rich plants you can eat. Turnip greens go well with a wide range of meals, so be sure to add them to your weekly menu to help keep your bones strong and healthy.

Protection against Diabetes

According to medical research, eating turnip greens can help lower blood glucose levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes and can improve blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and lipids in people who have type 2 diabetes. Researchers assert that it’s the high fiber content in turnip greens that provide these benefits. Some studies suggest that the alpha-lipoic acid contained in these greens can decrease peripheral neuropathy. Of course, even if you are not battling diabetes, you can benefit by the rich fiber content and other nutrients in these greens, which may help you stave off diseases like diabetes.

Improved Sleep

If you suffer periodically from insomnia, be sure to add foods that contain choline to your diets. Turnip greens have choline, a nutrient that supports sleep. The folate contained in these greens can prevent harmful homocysteine from forming in the body. Too much homocysteine can prevent hormones like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin from being produced at optimum levels. These hormones help regulate sleep as well as mood. Consequently, by making turnip greens a regular part of your diet, you can help guard against sleep disturbances.

Cancer Prevention

Many cruciferous vegetables like turnip greens can protect against the development of cancer. These vegetables contain sulforaphane, which is a compound that contains sulfur, which can provide some measure of protection against cancer. Turnip greens are also rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants combat free radicals, which are associated with disease development. With its heterocyclic amines, turnip greens also have the power to negate the negative effects that grilled foods heated at high temperatures can have on the body.

Healthy Detox

Our bodies are subject to a wide array of toxin that typically comes from our diets or even the air we breathe. Many of the foods we eat can help clean the body and actually promote the removal of these toxins from our system. If you eat turnip greens, you can count on them to provide some helpful detox. The antioxidants and sulfur contained in these greens promote detox activity in the body.

Anemia Prevention

In many countries, anemia due to iron deficiency is a considerable problem. If you’re concerned that you aren’t getting enough iron in your diet to prevent anemia, you should eat more foods that are rich in iron like turnip greens. Also, they also contain vitamin C, which promotes iron absorption. By eating more turnip greens, you can keep anemia at bay.

Support for Pregnancy

Turnip greens contain folic acid, a nutrient that’s essential for healthy fetal development. Folic acid is especially important in the early stages of pregnancy. Without enough of this nutrient present in a woman’s body, the developing infant is at higher risk for neural tube congenital disabilities that can result in conditions like spina bifida. In addition, if you’re trying to get pregnant, research has shown that consuming more iron from plant sources can enhance fertility.