Are You Eating Enough Leafy Greens?

Are you eating enough leafy greens?

 

We know that dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, Swiss chard, and beet greens (to name but a few) are packed with vitamins and minerals that heal and protect the body.

 

A new study, published in the journal of Nature Chemical Biology, found a new sugar compound that supports gut health.

 

Sugar, good for your health?

 

Yes, you read that right. This new sugar compound, sulfoquinovose (SQ), is great for gut health. Since most chronic diseases start in the gut, this is an important find.

 

Here’s what Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based dietitian, says in The Globe And Mail:

 

It turns out that bacteria use a previously unknown enzyme, called YihQ, to absorb and break down SQ, releasing its growth-promoting sulfur.

 

The researchers, from Melbourne and Britain, say their findings could pave the way for the development of new types of antibiotics. For instance, the newly identified enzyme could be used to help deliver drugs to kill harmful gut bacteria while leaving the good gut bacteria untouched.

 

Essentially leafy greens have a prebiotic quality to them.

 

These greens are also great for the brain, metabolism, and reducing oxidative stress in the body.

 

We knew leafy greens were great for us, but it is really cool when science proves they are even better for us than we thought.