Skip to main content

MCC Daily Tribune Archive

The Wellness Council Presents the Food of the Month for June!


The Wellness Council is happy to announce that the Food of the Month for June is GREENS!  People have gained many health benefits from wild greens since possibly as long as 200,000 years ago. Today green leafy vegetables are considered to be one of the healthiest vegetables around, and they are also inexpensive. The calcium in dark green leafy vegetables is more effectively absorbed by the body than that found in cow’s milk <https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/milk>. Potassium <https://nutritionfacts.org/topics/potassium>  from greens has been known to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help to prevent strokes and heart disease.  Greens can also provide iron, zinc, antioxidants, and magnesium, a nutrient that may lower the risk of a whole range of health concerns including diabetes and heart disease. 

Green leafy vegetables are the best source of plant-based nitrates. Nitrates from a plant-based diet are not considered to be harmful. In fact, nitric oxide formed from plant-based nitrates may play a role in the prevention of heart disease and high blood pressure. Eating whole plant foods is more likely to be better for your health than taking supplements.  As an example, folate appears to be preferable to folic acid supplements.

Many nutrients found in greens are fat soluble, which means including some healthy, whole-food fats like nuts or seeds in a meal can help you better absorb those phytonutrients that are believed to be beneficial in helping to prevent various diseases.  Plant-based diets tend to be alkaline-forming, which may help protect muscle mass and reduce the risk of gout and kidney stones. High consumption of green leafy and cruciferous vegetables in particular, may be linked to lower rates of cognitive decline.

Consuming at least one serving of greens per month can also impact the health of your eyes.  It is possible that the nutrients in green leafy vegetables can help to reduce the risk of glaucoma by 69 percent. Lutein and zeaxanthin are nutrients that are found in greens that appear to protect against cataracts and macular degeneration. The consumption of greens is also associated with increased physical attractiveness, reduced facial wrinkling, improved dental health, better immune system, and may reduce free radical DNA damage.

Some nutrients are destroyed by cooking, but some nutrients actually become more absorbable. A mix of cooked and raw vegetables that includes greens is best. Smoothies can also be a great way to get all of the nutrients greens have to offer. But you should make sure to drink whole-food smoothies that are not made from juice, and it is probably better to use a straw to prevent tooth enamel erosion.

Looking for new ways to eat your greens? Click HERE and check out these recipes.  Try some greens today!

Matt Farley, Deneen Rhode, Tanya Rich, Sandy Warren
MCC Wellness Council
06/14/2016