Did you have your green veggies today?
A recent study found that green vegetables which contain nitrate (spinach, lettuce and celery, among others) may aid heart health and decrease the risk of diabetes and obesity.
Consuming foods with nitrate can reduce the body’s production of erythropoietin, a hormone that regulates the body’s red blood cell count. This hormone can be helpful at a high altitude to ensure enough oxygen reaches the organs; however, when the blood cell count is too high, blood may thicken too much and starve the organs and tissues of necessary oxygen. Eating nitrate-rich foods can protect the body against heart and circulatory conditions associated with a greater production of red blood cells.
While research on this topic is still in progress, balancing a diet with leafy vegetables may help those at risk of diabetes and obesity.
For more information, read the complete article.
