The health benefits of kale are well documented with lower levels of heart disease, lower cholesterol, improved blood sugar, lower blood pressure, and lower risk of certain types of cancer all on the list of advantages of eating kale.
What is Kale Powder Good for?
For all the benefits of kale, one downside is the amount of it you need to eat to get the full slate of nutritional benefits this leafy veggie has to offer. It is no secret that many of us are less than fond of leafy greens. No matter how compelling the health benefits, facing down a plate full of fresh kale is still a daunting prospect for many of us. Even cheating a little by dressing up dried kale chips with olive oil and salt can only get you so far.
Thankfully, kale powder exists to help you get the full benefits of this superfood without the need to eat a pile of raw kale. This versatile powder can be added to everything from pasta sauces to baked goods, mixed into salad dressings and added to smoothies to add a bit of additional nutritional punch to a wide variety of foods.
Does Kale Powder have Nutritional Value?
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits found in kale are known to many, but these are just the beginning of the very long list of nutrients found in this member of the cruciferous vegetable family of vegetables, which also includes Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Kaempferol, quercetin, carotenoids, phytochemicals, and even bile acid sequestrants are all part of what makes kale one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet.
All vegetables lose some amount of their nutritional value during any kind of processing or shipping. It takes a tremendous amount of expertise to maintain the nutrition and flavor of fresh vegetables in ready-to-eat ingredients. Dried kale powder is almost as nutritious as fresh kale, it is certainly easier to come by, easier to eat, and can be added to a seemingly unlimited number of dishes. Dried kale still has high levels of many vitamins and minerals including:
- vitamin A
- vitamin K
- vitamin C
- vitamin B6
- manganese
- calcium
- copper
- potassium
- magnesium
- niacin
Health Benefits of Kale
Eye health is on the list of benefits many people look for when eating kale. This cruciferous vegetable contains lutein, zeaxanthin, and other compounds that can help prevent issues such as macular degeneration as you age.
Probably one of the most well-known benefits of eating kale is how great this bitter, green veggie is for bone health. Kale is packed with phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin K, all of which are essential for helping your body process the calcium necessary to keep bones strong and healthy.
Aside from bone health, the powerful antioxidants found in kale usually get top billing as a reason to add this superfood to your diet. Though fruit such as blueberries and cranberries often catch peoples’ attention as antioxidant powerhouses, these anthocyanin-laden fruits are far from the only plants you can eat that pack an antioxidant punch.
For all the nutrients available in kale, it is s shockingly low-calorie food. This means kale powder is an excellent choice for adding nutritional content to foods without adding extra calories many people are working hard to avoid these days.
