Of all the super healthy greens, kale is king.
It is one of the healthiest and most nutritious plant foods in existence.
Kale is loaded with all sorts of beneficial compounds, some of which have powerful medicinal properties including powerful heart-protective, blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant and anti-cancer effects, to name a few.
10 Science Informed Reasons to Include Kale in Your Dog’s Diet:
- Kale Is Among the Most Nutrient-Dense Foods on The Planet – kale is very high in nutrients and very low in calories, making it one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. (1)
- Kale Is Loaded With Powerful Antioxidants like Quercetin and Kaempferol – many powerful antioxidants are found in kale, including quercetin and kaempferol, which have numerous beneficial effects on health including powerful heart-protective, blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant and anti-cancer effects, to name a few. (6, 7, 8)
- Is an Excellent Source of Vitamin C – kale is extremely high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that has many important roles in the body. For example, it is necessary for the synthesis of collagen, the most abundant structural protein in the body.
- Kale Can Help Lower Cholesterol, Which May Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease – it contains substances that bind bile acids and lower cholesterol levels in the body. (11, 12, 13)
- Kale Is One of The World’s Best Sources of Vitamin K – Vitamin K is an important nutrient that is involved in blood clotting.
- There Are Numerous Cancer-Fighting Substances in Kale – kale contains substances including sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol, that have been shown to help fight cancer in test-tube and animal studies. (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- Kale Is Very High in Beta-Carotene – kale is very high in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body can turn into vitamin A. (22, 23)
- Kale Is a Good Source of Minerals – many important minerals are found in kale including calcium, potassium and magnesium. These minerals are important for bone health and may be protective against heart disease. One advantage that kale has over leafy greens like spinach is that it is low in oxalate, a substance found in some plants that can prevent minerals from being absorbed. (24, 25, 26)
- Kale Is High in Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Powerful Nutrients That Protect the Eyes – kale is high in lutein and zeaxanthin, nutrients that have been linked to a drastically reduced risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. (27, 28)
- Kale Should Help Your Dog Maintain or Lose Weight – as a nutrient-dense, low-calorie food, kale makes an excellent addition to a weight loss or maintenance diet. (29, 30)
