This is no more a hidden fact that green leafy vegetables are extremely healthy for our body. We all know how immensely rich these green veggies are with essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
One of the most common and healthiest amongst other leafy greens are Kale and Spinach. They might not look pleasing but acquires the ability to resolve many of our health issues and preserves various health benefits as well. They are the most common ingredient that we use in cooking and salads of course!
When it comes to maintaining our health in the long run, we all reach for those superfoods that stands among the top to provide us maximum health benefits. Right?
So, let’s have an overview to find out which is the healthiest and nutrient-dense among the two – Kale or Spinach?
Is kale really a superfood?
The presence of higher vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin K with calcium and protein makes kale an ideal pick to add in the diet.
The slightly bitter in taste than spinach, kale is an important item to add in salad bowls, cooked chips, cookies, smoothies etc.
Besides being a nutritional powerhouse and enriched with anti-oxidants, it proves to be extremely beneficial for the health due to the following reasons:
- It makes the skin healthy and glowing naturally
- It helps maintain and improves the eye-vision
- Better for blood, bones and tissue health
- Lower the risk of heart disease
- Consist of certain nutrients and vitamins which combat malnutrition
- Makes hair smooth and shiny
Is spinach the most nutritious leafy green?
Spinach nutritious game is no less than the kale. The smooth textured with sweet flavored spinach has a higher content of fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium folate, and vitamin E.
Have a look at some of the many health benefits that spinach provides to maintain our health:
- Suitable for those suffering from anemia
- Promotes better sleep
- Lower the risk of certain type of cancer
- Improves digestion and leads to better stool production
- An important pick for pregnant women and those who wish to conceive
- Helps maintain the blood-pressure
Which is easiest to eat – Kale or spinach?
Kale is not chewable and requires to massage its leaves or steamed to eat it easily. On the other hand, spinach is smooth and considered the best if added in smoothies and as a part of varied vegetables or salads.
As spinach gets shrink in the process of preparing dish, therefore, higher content of spinach is required to make a single serving, unlike kale which does not shrink moreover it is heavier and dense than kale.
You can make kale chips or soup which tastes delicious and provides a hand fill of health benefits. If you want to intake both of their benefits together, consider cold pressed green mix juice.
Cold-pressed juice has the ability to retain important, nutrients, vitamins and minerals as no heat is produced in its extraction. It is a healthier choice than gulping regular juice or chemical-filler tetra pack juices.
What are the side-effects of eating excessive kale and spinach?
Apart from providing exceptional benefits to stay fit and healthy, eating an excessive amount of kale and spinach regularly might lead to create certain health issues.
Let’s have a look at some of them below:
Side-effects of eating Spinach:
- The presence of vitamin K could reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners if spinach is eaten in large amounts
- Not suitable for those on diabetic medication as it lowers blood pressure to a greater extent
- Harmful for people with kidney problems
- Eating spinach regularly in large amount can upset stomach
- The presence of oxalates in spinach gives rise to kidney stones
Side-effects of eating kale:
- Not suitable for the infants as it might upset their stomach
- People suffering from digestive problems should avoid adding kale in their diet
- Results in various allergies like swollen eyes, runny nose, itching in eyes etc. (DO NOT eat kale if you are already allergic to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage etc.)
- Can raise thyroid concerns
- Not recommended for those on oxalate restricted diet it otherwise causes pain in different parts of the body organs
By keeping this in mind, it is advised to eat every food in moderation no matter how health benefits it might hold. Eating a rainbow of different fruits and veggies is an ideal way of having a balanced diet.
Who won the superfood battle – kale or spinach?
It is inappropriate to label any of them healthier than the other since both help to achieve your fitness goals and to lead a healthy life.
It rather depends upon your nutritional needs for e.g if you want to have good skin than eat kale, if you wish to boost the immune system then pick spinach. It’s you who has to choose either of them as per the vitamins and minerals that you want to fill up on.
Have a balanced diet with different leafy greens and fruits every day. Trust on me, this is the best way to eat and enjoy every food item.
