Find out why this green dream lives up to the hype

If there was a popularity contest for veggies, kale would win hands-down! This leafy green veg is a favourite among hipsters, health aficionados and celebrities alike thanks to its outstanding nutritional benefits. If you’re not already a fully paid-up member of the kale fan club, its low-calorie, high-fibre and zero-fat profile should tempt you to get on board.

As well as being a great addition to any weight-loss plan, kale is ideal for digestion and will help keep your system moving as it contains around 5g fibre per 100g. Kale is an excellent source of iron – it contains more iron than beef per serve! That’s important for anyone with anaemia or heavy periods, or just looking for more energy, as it helps to form haemoglobin – the molecules that carry iron in red blood cells.

If punching beef into shape wasn’t enough, kale is also high in calcium, giving milk a run for its money with fewer calories. If you’re dairy intolerant or vegan, this veg will give you a good dose of the bone-strengthener.

Vitamin K, which helps to protect against certain cancers, is also found in high quantities in kale, along with heaps of antioxidants. This all-important, but lesser known vitamin is needed for a whole host of bodily functions, including the health of your bones, preventing blood clotting and keeping cholesterol in check. There is also some evidence that vitamin K can help those
who are suffering with Alzheimer’s.

Kale can help fight inflammation as it contains omega-3 fatty acids, so make sure you’re eating kale regularly if you have an injury, arthritis or asthma, as it will help to reduce the effects and speed recovery.

Vitamins A and C are two more nutrients found in kale. Vitamin A is really important for vision and vitamin C is essential for your immune system, but both of them are brilliant skin vitamins, too, so dose up to keep wrinkles at bay.

And, as if all these benefits weren’t enough, kale is also a great way to cleanse your body, as it contains both fibre and sulphur – both of which are involved
in the detoxification process. 

Although a little tough, you can eat kale raw – try finely shredding the leaves and throwing them in a salad, or simply putting them straight into a green juice. It’s also delicious steamed, sautéed or added to a soup.