What Vitamins are in Swiss Chard?

Answer 1

Swiss chard is a playground of nutrients, insomuch as there are a wide variety and an abundance of them. It contains extremely high levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, and zinc, which are all very effective antioxidants. All of these, working in tandem with dozens of other phytonutrients and flavanoids (antioxidant compounds), make Swiss chard a superb free radical suppressor. Free radicals are electron-imbalanced molecules in the body that wreak havoc on other cells around them, also making them unbalanced. This chain reaction continues, until cells begin to behave in this way, causing real damage to the body. This damage has been linked to many forms of cancer and Heart disease. By regularly consuming chard and/or other antioxidant-rich foods, you significantly reduce your risk to these diseases.That said, it's natural to have free radicals in the body, but they are compounded by pollution in our environment and unhealthy lifestyles.

Swiss chard also works wonders on blood sugar regulation in the body. This is done by certain flavanoids acting as a catalyst to our digestive system, helping to regulate the flow of food through the body. It only makes sense, then that Swiss chard also protects the kidney and liver from cancer.

Vitamin K tops the list in Swiss chard, though, with a staggering 716%DV of your daily intake in a one cup serving, boiled. It has been known for some time now that vitamin K is vital in maintaining and building bone health, but there are also unique anticancer that are currently coming to light. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a paper linking vitamin K to preventing prostate cancer in men, although they add that "further studies… are warranted". Another preliminary study out of Japan found that women who had healthy vitamin K intake were 90 percent less likely to develop liver cancer, but this need further study, as well. There is certainly reason to believe that vitamin K is responsible for reducing our risk with some cancers.

Studies also show that different nutrients reside in the stem and greens, which only makes sense. Be sure to eat the whole chard leaf - stem and all - to receive its full health effects.