Nine reasons to eat your greens

1. Reduce inflammation – greens are full of antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. They are also very alkaline, so they help to neutralise the acids in your body.
2. Improve skin appearance – greens are also high in vitamins and minerals that promote cell regeneration and therefore slowing the effects of ageing (minimising and preventing wrinkles). Dark leafy greens will also help to clear impurities from the body, meaning they will help improve acne.
3. Deodorisation – not only are greens great for you, but they will also help with deodorisation due to the high chlorophyll content in leafy greens. Chlorophyll has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties meaning knocking back a green smoothie will eradicate bad breath and body odour.
4. Improve the health of red blood cells – chlorophyll has a very similar structure to red blood cells. The only difference is that chlorophyll has a magnesium centre and the red blood cell has an iron centre so consuming high amounts of chlorophyll increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients that are delivered to the cells in our bodies.
5. Reduce the risk of depression – greens are rich in vitamin B, which assists the secretion of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that will help you feel relaxed and improves mood.
6. Cardiovascular protection - The high levels of folate (ester if folic acid) in leafy greens can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. They also have a high concentration of calcium in greens such as kale. Potassium, which is present in nearly all leafy greens, can help blood-pressure management. Greens are also high in fibre; therefore, they slow the absorption of carbohydrates into your bloodstream after meals and can even aid lowering cholesterol levels.
7. Bone strengthening - Leafy greens contain copious amounts of minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and manganese, which are all significant contributors to the maintenance of good bone health. A diet rich in greens and weight-bearing/high impact exercise is your best bet in preventing against osteoporosis and other bone-related fractures.
8. Immune system - Bad bacteria is kept out of your intestines by an immune cell called innate lymphoid. Proteins in dark leafy greens activate the innate lymphoid cells, which helps to prevent inflammatory diseases, allergies and bowel cancers. Leafy greens are also rich in antioxidants, helping to fight off; viruses and free radicals and defend against cell mutation related to cancer cell growth.
9. Cognitive function – As well as improving your mood B vitamins can improve your cognitive function, which promotes healthy blood flow to the brain. Therefore, allowing nutrients to arrive to your brain faster. The antioxidants in greens also help prevent the neurodegenerative effects of free radicals and can combat diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.