The ABC List Of The Healthiest Vegetables: D for DANDELION
HEALTHIEST FOODS ON EARTH – VEGETABLE SERIES BEGINNING WITH THE LETTER D
The ABC List Of The Healthiest Vegetables: D for DANDELION. The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth Series, vegetables that begin with the letter D and are packed with nutrients, vitamins and antioxidants – all of which are great for your health. This series is based on the book by Jonny Bowden, and is a recipe for healthy living that hopefully everyone will take to heart like I have. The 150 Healthiest Foods On Earth Series has been divided into food groups with this post being all about the vegetables – a veggie that begin with the letter D. You’ll be amazed at how eating the right foods is just like having a pharmacy in your fridge and pantry.
If you missed any of the previous vegetables, read up on them here at the ABC LIST OF THE HEALTHIEST FOODS. Enjoy 😉
Well they say “One is the loneliest number ” so here we go – the infamous dandelion. Yes, it’s actually a weed, but the leaves can be eaten in salads (in lieu of lettuce), stir-fries and more, so we’re treating it as a vegetable (make sure to grab it before they go to seed). And oh my gosh – had I know this “weed” was a powerful nutrition house, I never would have pulled the thousands from my lawn. Now I know – now I will harvest. See, you can learn something new everyday.
One of the health benefits of the dandelion is its effect on the liver. This along side of milk thistle, is the most recommended herbs used by the naturapathic medicine, to people who need liver detoxification. Just by treating the liver, it can sometimes resolve numerous conditionas ranging from physical problems such as indigestion and hepatitis to the imbalances that contribute to irritability and depression. Dandelion root, figures prominently in many natural nutrional support programs for hepatitis C.
An important chemical in dandelions is taraxacin, which stimulates the digestive organs and help prompt the liver and gallbladder to release bile. Take some when your constipated or have indigestion – your bowels will move more easily with the increased bile flow. Dandelion can be taken for a few months, unlike pharmaceutical laxatives.
Diabetes? it is helpful in the treatment of diabetes. It contains insulin, which is a type of soluble fiber known to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. It also increases calcium absorption and possible magnesium absorption while promoting probiotic bacteria. Plus it contains some pectin, another type of fiber that helps relieve constipation and reduce cholesterol (pectin is also found in apples).
Bloating and water retention? Dandelion is a natural diuretic and does not cause loss of potassium. It also works great for the water retention of PMS, and its routinely used for edema (swelling or bloating caused by fluids in the extremeties) of the lower legs and ankles. It also contains 2 hormone balancing consitituents, taraxerol and taraxasterol.
As a natural diuretic, dandelion leaf is an aid used in reducing high blood pressure.
Dandelion is one of the most nutrient-rich vegetables on earth. One cup of cooked dandelion greens contains 147 mg of calcium, 244 mg of potassium, 203 mg of bone building vitamin K, and 3 g of fiber. They are the richest green vegetable source of beta-carotene and the third richest source of vitamin A of all foods after cod liver oil and beef liver. One cup of dandelions contains more than 10,000 IU’s of vit A, plus 4,944 mcg of the eye nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin.
Use this root in salads, the same way you would a carrot. In stir-fries, in soups, or sauteed with onion and garlic. It also makes a great liver friendly detoxifying tea. If you’re looking for some good dandelion recipes, check these out. I’ve made a few and are they are pretty tasty.
SAUTEED DANDELION GREENS WITH EGGS – compliments of abeautifulplate.com
10 DANDELION RECIPES TO TRY – compliments of wideopeneats.com
So go for it – instead of pulling these weeds from your grass, use them to make you healthy. Peace 🙂