Green leafy vegetables is a phrase that is used to cover a variety of vegetables including spinach, chard and broccoli, to name a few.
Spinach and other vegetables are some of the wonderful foods supplied by nature because it gives us many essential nutrients including: vitamins A, C, D, E, K, minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, phytonutrients.
Include green leafy vegetables in our daily diet is a good way to get the following benefits:
1. Exceptional health benefits
A diet rich in green leafy vegetables is associated with a range of health benefits, including health of the eyes, bone, cardiovascular, protection against cancer, protection against diabetes and improved immune system.
2. A rich source of iron
Besides meat, there is no other source of iron than green leafy vegetables. Iron is vital for our welfare, as it is the iron in red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. Anemia occurs when there is insufficient iron, and this causes the associated feeling of fatigue in our bodies, that are not getting enough oxygen for proper operation.
3. High fiber content
The plant-based foods generally have high fiber content, unless overdevelop, in which case they are deleted. Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate, such as cellulose, which has many benefits in a healthy diet and more regular digestion and makes us feel satisfied longer. This is a great benefit when it comes to reducing the total calories. Fiber is also important for the proper functioning of stomach and intestinal tract.
4. They are low in calories
Most leafy vegetables are not high in calories. You can eat a generous amount of vegetables without worry as long as no seasoned with high fat dressings like mayonnaise, butter or the like.
5. They have a low glycemic index
Although vegetables contain carbohydrates, are composed of very complex molecules. These must be broken down in the stomach before being absorbed as glucose in the blood. This, and the fiber containing the vegetables prevent causing an abrupt elevation of blood glucose.
The weight control based on the glycemic index highlights the importance of eating foods that do not shoot the blood sugar. When this happens again and again, it happens the excess blood sugar that our body can not use. The result is that they become fat deposits and can lead to diabetes.
Foods that are digested so quickly also have another effect: it makes us feel hungry very fast leading us to overeat.
Then, include green leafy vegetables, is an excellent choice for weight control. Vegetables take longer to digest, keeping us fuller longer. They do not cause sudden elevations in blood sugar, do not have many calories, and have a lot of health benefits.