What are the functions of chard?

Answer 1

Chard can help you:

• Regulate blood sugar: A flavonoid in chard, syringic acid, can inhibit alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars. When this enzyme is inhibited, fewer carbohydrates are broken down and blood sugar is able to remain more steady, particularly following a meal. In addition to its syringic acid, chard contains a very good amount offiber (over 3.5 grams per cooked cup) and a very good amount of protein (nearly 3.5 grams per cooked cup). Fiber and protein-rich foods are an excellent way to help stabilize blood sugar levels, because they help regulate the speed of digestion and keep food moving at the right pace through your digestive tract. Chard may also help pancreatic beta cells regenerate. Beta cells produce insulin, which regulates your blood sugar. Chard may also help protect your liver from damage from Diabetes.
• Fight oxidative damage: Chard is an excellent source of the antioxidant vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene, and the mineral manganese, and a good source of the mineral zinc. It also contains at least three dozen phytonutrient antioxidants, including carotenoids like beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin; flavonoids like quercetin and kaempferol; and epoxyxanthophylls. Many of these antioxidant phytonutrients provide chard with its colorful stems, stalks, and leaf veins. Like beets, chard contains betalains, including reddish-purple betacyanin pigments as well as yellowish betaxanthin pigments. The reddish-purple stems and leaf veins of chard contain at least 9 betacyanin pigments, including betanin, isobetanin, betanidin, and isobetanidin. The yellow stems and veins contain at least 19 betaxanthin pigments, including histamine, betaxanthin, alanineâˆ'betaxanthin, tyramine-betaxanthin, and 3-methoxytyramine-betaxanthin. Many of the betalain pigments in chard provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. The detox support provided by betalains includes support of some especially important Phase 2 detox steps involving glutathione.
• Fight chronic inflammation: Many of the antioxidants in chard also act as anti-inflammatory agents, sometimes by altering the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes; other times, by preventing the production of pro-inflammatory messaging molecules. Because chronic inflammation coupled with excessive oxidative stress increases your risk of obesity, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and several forms of Arthritis, chard may very likely help lower your risk of these health problems.
• Build strong bones: With its very good supply of calcium, its excellent supply of magnesium, and the vitamin K it provides in amounts six to eight times higher than the Daily Value (in just one boiled cup), chard provides excellent bone support.