Kale is a leafy green vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean area. It has been used in cooking for thousands of years and contains a variety of compounds such as sulforaphane, glucoraphanin, and resveratrol. Mushrooms are typically associated with savouring their taste in dishes like soups, risotto or stir-fries. Here are the health benefits of eating Kale and Mushroom Pasta.
Kale is high in dietary fibre.
Although kale is a green vegetable, it is not a nutritional powerhouse due to its low carbohydrate content. However, kale contains more dietary fibre than any other leafy vegetable. Dietary fibre has been linked to many health benefits such as improved gut health, reduced cholesterol levels and lower risk for diabetes and heart disease.
Kale becomes more nutritious when cooked.
When kale is cooked, it releases sulforaphane which is a compound that acts as an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. Sulforaphane can be released from kale even when it is steamed. The same amount of kale when boiled actually contains more sulforaphane than the same amount of kale when steamed. When kale is eaten cooked, its glucoraphanin content increases by 400%.
Mushroom cooks up Kale nutrition
Mushrooms contain the glucoraphanin (the soluble antioxidant) and the protein called “mycophellins” which can kill bacteria in the gut. When eaten with sautéed kale, there is a synergistic effect of these two compounds. The combination of glucoraphanin and mycophellins produced in the gut when mushrooms are eaten with kale can help support a healthy immune system. These mushrooms may also be high in dietary fibre.
Kale is loaded with antioxidants.
Kale contains a variety of antioxidants such as betalains and flavonoids which neutralize free radicals and kill bacteria that cause diseases like cancer, arthritis, asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Kale is also high in vitamin C and vitamin A which are important for tissue growth and development.
Eating kale and mushroom pasta can help you enjoy all the health benefits of eating kale and mushroom. Make sure to prepare these two ingredients well by sautéing them in a pan with olive oil to release their flavours and maximize your health benefits.
