The 14 Healthiest Vegetables on Earth

6. Kale

Like other leafy greens, kale is well-known for its health-promoting qualities, including its nutrient density and antioxidant content.

A cup (67 grams) of raw kale contains plenty of B vitamins, potassium, calcium and copper.

It also fulfills your entire daily requirement for vitamins A, C and K (21).

Due to its high amount of antioxidants, kale may also be beneficial in promoting heart health.

In a 2008 study, 32 men with high cholesterol drank 150 ml of kale juice daily for 12 weeks. By the end of the study, HDL cholesterol increased by 27%, LDL cholesterol decreased by 10% and antioxidant activity was increased (22).

Another study showed that drinking kale juice can decrease blood pressure and may be beneficial in reducing both blood cholesterol and blood sugar (23).

Summary

Kale is high in vitamins A, C and K as well as antioxidants. Studies show that drinking kale juice could reduce blood pressure and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol.