Nature's Perfect Food
Great Greens!
by Elizabeth Keyser
Think nothing's perfect? Think again. The foods known as "greens" are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, bursting with vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals. They're inexpensive, available year-round, and low in calories and carbs. And research has shown that increasing your daily intake of leafy greens by just 1 1/2 servings may lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 14 percent. (And yes, if you already have diabetes, it still makes a difference!)
In other words, they're nature's perfect food.
Most greens grow in cooler, less humid weather. For this reason, you can find fresh greens in winter at the grocery store -- and in farmer's markets (or your back yard!) during the spring and fall.
These nutrient powerhouses are well worth getting to know and learning how to prepare. Try a new one this week. Your body will thank you.
SOURCE:
Carter, Patrice, Laura J. Gray, Jacqui Troughton, Kamlesh Khunti, and Melanie J. Davies. 2010. Fruit and vegetable intake and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus: systemic review and meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. 341:c4229.
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