Swiss Collards, Antioxidant Rich Food

Swiss Collard (a.k.a. Swiss Chard)

Other names:

• Silver Beets
• Silver Chard
  
• Spinach Beet
• Seakale Beet
  
• Perpetual Spinach
• Bright Lights
• Mangold
• Spinach (as it is called in South Africa)

Swiss Collards' Main Nutrients

• Antioxidant:    Vitamin (K,A,C,E), Zinc
  
• Other:               Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Selenium, Manganese, Potassium, Vitamin (A,B,C,E,K), Phosphorus, Choline, Dietary Fiber, Water

Interesting stuff on Swiss Collards

Native of:

• Mediteranean
  

Now Found\Grown in:

• Northern Hemsiphere
  

While it carries the word "Swiss" in one of its name, it does not originate from Switzerland. It is suggested that the addition of "Swiss" may have been done in honor of the botanist who first described it, who was a Swiss (but another write-up suggested it was a German botanist who first described it). Regardless, the name "Swiss Chard" is here to stay.

Examples of Health Benefits of Swiss Collards

• Regulate Blood Sugar and Reduce Risks of Type 2 Diabetes
  
• Anti-inflammatory

Rich in carotenoids and flavonoids, helps in lowering inflammation. It also lowers inflammation by altering the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes or, prevent the production of pro-inflammatory messaging enzymes

• Bone Health
  

Rich in Vitamin K (running close second to Spinach) plus Magnesium, aids keeping bones in check.

• Heart Health
• Anti-cancer
• Promotes Eye Health
• Prevention of Epileptic Seizures
• Pre-menstrual Syndrome (PMS) Relief
• Aid control of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
  
• Reduce Risks of Alzheimer and Dementia

Research being done on:

• Chard's effects to aid Pancreatic Cells to Regeneration

Some precautions

• High in oxalate, may cause stones. It has been suggested that by boiling it, the level of oxalate could be reduced.