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What are the Healthiest Vegetables?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

While all vegetable have health benefits, some are especially high in nutritional values. The healthiest vegetables are good sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Antioxidants help protect the body from disease by breaking down harmful oxidants or free radicals that form in the body as a result of things such as non-nutritious foods, stress and pollution. Winter squash, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, spinach, onions, kale, carrots, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and artichokes are all very healthy.

Artichokes provide the antioxidant, silymarin, which is thought to possibly protect the body from skin cancer. A medium sized artichoke is only 60 calories and may be eaten steamed with lemon juice. Broccoli may also be eaten steamed and flavored with lemon juice. It is rich in nutrients that include Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calcium.

Winter squash.
Winter squash.

Vitamin A helps the body grow normally from a cellular level and is especially associated with good eye and reproductive system health. Humans need to ingest foods containing Vitamin C because, unlike many other animals and most plants, the body cannot manufacture it. Vitamin C prevents a disease called scurvy that causes conditions such as soft gums, spots on the skin, nose bleeds, and depression. Calcium must be consumed daily to keep teeth and bones healthy.

Vegetables.
Vegetables.

Brussels sprouts are considered one of the healthiest vegetables, as they contain many nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, fiber, and Vitamin K. Iron is a mineral that helps form red blood cells as well as move oxygen to cells throughout the body. Fiber helps provide proper elimination of waste from the body. Vitamin K helps in proper blood clotting and bone formation by distributing calcium efficiently.

Spinach.
Spinach.

Cabbage is very healthy and also versatile, as it can be prepared in many ways. The leaves can be filled with a rice and meat mixture and baked to create a popular dish called cabbage rolls. A salad called coleslaw can be made from raw shredded cabbage. Cabbage is also good cut into wedges and steamed as a vegetable side dish. Cabbage is high in antioxidants, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.

Broccoli may be steamed, then flavored with lemon juice.
Broccoli may be steamed, then flavored with lemon juice.

Carrots are another of the healthiest vegetables that are also versatile. They can be cut into circular slices and boiled or diced and mixed in with cooked peas. Carrots are also popular when chopped into sticks to eat raw for snacks. Carrots provide fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene has antioxidant qualities and is converted by the body into Vitamin A.

Kale contains a high amount of nutrients.
Kale contains a high amount of nutrients.

Kale is a vegetable that has many nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, fiber, calcium, manganese, and potassium. Potassium is thought to lower blood pressure as well as promote healthy nerve function and muscle control. Manganese strengthens teeth and bones while regulating calcium absorption. High in antioxidants, onions are very healthy, and may be eaten raw or cooked to add flavor to many dishes. A medium onion is only 60 calories.

Cabbage is among the healthiest vegetables.
Cabbage is among the healthiest vegetables.

Spinach is best lightly steamed or used raw in salads in place of lettuce. Spinach is one of the healthiest vegetables as it contains the minerals magnesium and iron as well as the vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin E has antioxidant qualities and protects cells. It's also thought to promote healthy blood vessels.

Sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, and winter squash are still more nutritious vegetables. Sweet potatoes are abundant in beta-carotene and also contain Vitamin C, fiber, potassium, iron, and calcium. Swiss chard is packed with nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium, potassium, and fiber. Varieties of winter squash such as acorn, butternut and pumpkin are high in Vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, and fiber.

Discussion Comments

anon47597

In Cebu, Philippines, there is this so-called Ampalaya or Bitter Melon or Bitter Gourd that helps better blood circulation and digestion.

anon47435

Thanks for reaffirming our belief in some of the most ordinary vegetables like onion, carrots, spinach and cabbage. There must be indigenous varieties of most veggies peculiar to every country. But these days we have imported ones that are very steeply priced compared to the local counterparts. Since these are the ones that are touted to be the best source of a certain nutrient, I'm often in a dilemma over buying them. Can their benefits outweigh the loss that may have occurred out of early picking and freezing/preserving for transport literally over the seven seas. What do the wise geeks advise?

anon47247

in kenya most people tend to have vegetables for their staple food. not especially for health benefits. the most common are kales locally known as sukuma wiki, cabbages locally known as mboga and spinach which is still known as spinach locally.i t has been a culture for people to eat these vegetables with some starch especially maize that is ground and cooked so as to come out as a sticky paste known as 'ugali'. that aside i like wise geek for i get to know facts i never knew. for instance the coleslaw salad. very interesting i must say. very interesting. i tried it and well 'yak' is all i had to say.

anon47199

Those vegetable party platters in the produce section, with the salad dressing like dip is a great way to enjoy your veggies if you don't get enough in your diet.

benghiman

This article is interseting - as far as it goes! There are many more than nine vegetables. However, the simple rule is avoid white, below ground, vegetables. They are too high in starch. Go for all the colours; green, red, blue, anything but white. That way you can be sure that you are benefiting.

anon47138

Here in the Philippines, I believe that the healthiest vegetable is locally known as Malunggay, or I think we call this Moringa. Usually mothers who just gave birth eat soup with these vegetables. I think this is also being done in Africa. Thanks -- ASave

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    • Winter squash.
      By: zach123
      Winter squash.
    • Vegetables.
      By: Ovidiu Iordachi
      Vegetables.
    • Spinach.
      By: Alessio Cola
      Spinach.
    • Broccoli may be steamed, then flavored with lemon juice.
      By: imagesab
      Broccoli may be steamed, then flavored with lemon juice.
    • Kale contains a high amount of nutrients.
      By: silencefoto
      Kale contains a high amount of nutrients.
    • Cabbage is among the healthiest vegetables.
      By: Anticiclo
      Cabbage is among the healthiest vegetables.
    • Healthy vegetables may be used in salads.
      By: monticellllo
      Healthy vegetables may be used in salads.
    • Swiss chard is a colorful, nutritious vegetable.
      By: Quanthem
      Swiss chard is a colorful, nutritious vegetable.
    • Vitamin C helps prevent depression.
      By: djtaylor
      Vitamin C helps prevent depression.