Celebrate Fresh Veggies Day with Just Add Water™

June 16, 2018

As big fans of fresh vegetables, it’s not a surprise that we’re extra excited to celebrate Fresh Veggies Day this Saturday, June 16th. 

Aside from being tasty and versatile, vegetables are full of energizing nutrients with loads of health and medicinal properties, like phytochemicals, phytonutrients, macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. While the exact nutritional content varies with individual fresh vegetables, many green vegetables contain two important phytochemicals that give them their superfood status: chlorophyll and sulforaphane.

If chlorophyll sounds familiar, yes, you definitely learned about it in high school biology. Chlorophyll is the organelle in plant cells that convert light into usable plant energy via photosynthesis. Don’t worry, there’s no pop quiz after this. Chlorophyll also gives plants their green pigment and is a great source of vitamin A, C, E, K and beta-carotene, as well as antioxidants, minerals like magnesium and calcium, and essential fatty acids. As part of your regular diet, it helps your body feel satisfied and full for longer by stabilizing your blood sugar levels, helping your body suppress cravings for sugary junk food.

Chlorophyll has also been shown to be effective as an anti-cancer agent by protecting your cells from DNA damage. The rich antioxidant content helps neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative stress, and it helps oxygenate the body by regenerating and replenishing red blood cells.

Sulforaphane, another superfood phytochemical commonly found in greens like broccoli, kale, and bok choy, is just as impressive. Studies have shown sulforaphane, a sulfur-containing molecule, to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties. It also protects the body against heart disease and helps improve blood glucose levels.

Vegetables really deserve capes for all they do to keep our bodies healthy and strong. It doesn’t matter how you eat your vegetables—raw, cooked, juiced, dehydrated or powdered—it matters that we celebrate them by eating them daily as delicious snacks or scrumptious entrées.

How are you celebrating Fresh Veggies Day?

XO

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