7 Body Parts That Benefit From Kale

As we age, nourishing our bodies with the right foods becomes more important than ever. For older adults and their caregivers looking to boost health naturally, kale stands out as a leafy green packed with essential nutrients.

Brain

Older adults who ate at least one daily serving of leafy greens like kale had a slower rate of cognitive decline on memory and thinking tests. In a large study from Rush University, the difference was roughly the cognitive equivalent of being 11 years younger. Eyes

Kale is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids that accumulate in the eye and help filter blue light. Diets higher in these nutrients are linked with a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, two leading causes of vision loss in older adults. Heart

Kale supplies vitamin C along with flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol. These antioxidants help mop up free radicals that can damage cells. Lab and animal studies associate these compounds with less inflammation and better heart protection.

Below are some Kale products available in Amazon. We earn a small commission when you purchase using our links.

Bones

A cup of raw kale provides a large share of your daily vitamin K. It helps activate bone proteins like osteocalcin that support bone mineral strength. If you take warfarin or another blood thinner, keep your vitamin K intake steady and check with your clinician before changing portions because Vitamin K helps blood to clot.

Skin

Collagen production naturally slows with age, which can lead to thinner, less elastic skin and stiffer joints. Kale helps because it is rich in vitamin C, a nutrient your body needs to build and stabilize collagen, the protein that keeps skin and connective tissues resilient. Per cup, kale provides more vitamin C than many other leafy greens, making it an easy way to support collagen at mealtime. Digestive system

Kale contributes fiber that helps keep you regular. It also feeds the helpful bacteria in your gut, which is linked to immune and digestive health.

Compounds in kale can also bind bile acids in the digestive tract. That action may lower LDL cholesterol over time. In one small study of adults with metabolic syndrome, daily kale powder for eight weeks reduced LDL and blood pressure. Use kale regularly as part of an overall heart-smart eating pattern.

Add Kale To Your Diet

Kale earns its place on the plate because it supports many parts of the body at once. A few small servings each week can help your brain, eyes, heart and blood vessels, bones, skin and connective tissue, digestion, and cholesterol balance.

It is affordable, easy to find, and simple to prepare to a soft, comfortable texture for older adults.

For caregivers, kale is practical. You can buy one bunch, wash and chop it once, and keep it in the fridge to use over several meals. Add a little at a time to dishes you already make.

This article was made by  Elder Love USA.

As the only nonprofit agency in California offering home care services, we are dedicated to providing compassionate affordable in-home care.  

All caregivers undergo thorough background checks and training with certification.  

Our rates are lower than other providers thanks to partnerships, donations, grants, and revenue from our cleaning program.  

Our caregivers can assist with personal care, shopping, cooking, transportation, housekeeping, and case management.  

We proudly serve Riverside County, CA, San Diego County, CA, San Bernardino County, CA, Orange County, CA, Imperial County, CA, and Phoenix, AZ. 

If you’d like to learn more about how our services can benefit you or your loved one, contact us today.