Go green this summer by increasing your consumption of dark leafy greens.
Dark leafy greens contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are
an important part of a balanced diet and your overall health. Vitamins
A, C and E contain antioxidants that can help stop the growth of some
types of cancer. Vitamin K helps reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis
and helps with anti-inflammatory diseases. Dark leafy greens are also
an excellent source of fiber. The recommended serving of dark leafy greens
for an adult is 1 ½ to 2 cups a week.
The health benefits of dark leafy greens make them an excellent choice
for your garden at home. In addition, they do not require a lot of space
or work to produce a high yield of vegetables. Spinach, kale, collards
and Swiss chard are great examples of dark leafy greens that you can grow at home.
Gardening is a form of physical activity with supportive health benefits
for older adults. Pushing a mower, digging holes, and carrying soil are
all whole body, weight bearing activities which promote physical fitness.
Veteran gardeners also reported better overall physical health and hand
function abilities.
Although gardening has shown to provide many physical health benefits,
it is still important to be careful when stooping, kneeling or squatting
so you do not place unnecessary pressure on your spine or knee joints.
Check out these protective tips for getting the most out of your garden
this summer: