Collard Me Intrigued: The Many Super Dope Benefits of Collard Greens

Collard greens are the humble superstar of American soul food. Just thinking of those delicious greens sauteed with crispy bacon is enough to make your mouth water. But they also pack some amazing health benefits.

And really, what would the customary yuletide eatathon be without Mom cooking chicken and collard greens? (Thanks, Run DMC.)

These cruciferous green veggies (think broccoli and kale) are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients. Here’s the DL on CGs.

The health benefits of collard greens

Research suggests that some of the heckin’ awesome nutrients in collard greens may provide:

It’s like that, and that’s the way it is. 😎

collards header — Lara Hata/Getty Images

Pop ya collard: The health benefits of collard greens

Here’s the lowdown on this leafy, green nutritional machine.

Bone health

Collard greens are a goldmine of vitamin K. Not getting enough of this essential nutrient may increase the risk of osteoporosis, a disease that f*cks with bone density.

Men should be getting 120 micrograms of vitamin K, and women 90 micrograms, every single day.

With 609 micrograms of vitamin K in one cup of boiled collards, you’ll get your fill and then some. It’s like Popeye and spinach, but instead of big muscles, you’ll get really strong elbows.

Anticancer properties

Some studies found that eating lots of cruciferous veg (yep, like collard greens) may lower your risk of prostate and lung cancers.

Research has suggested that compounds called glucosinolates could be the key. These compounds might throw a wrench in the works of certain cancers at different stages of their development.

This is pretty complex stuff though. It’s not totally clear how effective against cancer these compounds are on their own. But a balanced, nutritious diet can help you reduce the risk of cancer regardless. So where’s the harm in stocking up on collard greens and their cruciferous pals?

For example, a study from China concluded that there were no links between eating cruciferous veg and a lower risk of breast cancer.

May promote healthy blood sugar control

Green leafy veggies contain a whole bunch of fiber.

Adults over 18 years need anywhere between 22 grams and 34 grams of fiber depending on sex, age, and pregnancy status. (Check these USDA guidelines for the exact amount that applies to you.)

A 2014 study found that fiber may help reduce inflammation in people with type 1 diabetes.

There’s also evidence that it can help people with type 2 diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels.

With 5.59 grams of fiber in a cup of boiled collards, you’ll be well on the way to meeting your daily recommended amount.

Liver protection

A 2013 study on rats who were prone to high blood pressure found that a diet involving 4 percent collard greens helped change the makeup of their liver fatty acids, reducing the kind that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

(Obviously, rats are not humans. But it’s promising for collard greens on the liver front.)

Healthy digestion

Fiber is essential for gut health. And collards have bags of the stuff. Famous, among other things, for helping you poop like a champ.

No need for a morning coffee and cigarette to get things moving.

Glowing skin and hair

If you’re looking for luscious locks and silky smooth skin, collard greens could be your new beauty-boosting bae.

They’re loaded with vitamin A. This plays a super important role in the growth of all bodily tissues (including skin and hair).

There’s also around 35 milligrams of vitamin C in a cup of fresh, boiled greens. Vitamin C supports the production of collagen, which plays a major role in connective tissue development.

With daily recommended amounts of vitamin C at 75 grams for adult women, and 90 grams for men, these leafy greens can cover a chunk of your vit C needs without breaking a sweat.

Another essential nutrient found in collard greens is iron. A shortage of iron in your diet can lead to anemia, which can cause hair loss.

Cruciferous veg are a great source of iron, particularly if you’re vegan or vegetarian. There’s roughly 2.5 milligrams of iron per cup of canned collards (a little less if using fresh). That’s around a quarter of your daily recommended amount.

Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your collards to boost iron absorption.

Better sleep and mood

Collards provide folate — and not getting enough of the stuff might have links to depression, as a 2011 study on women with epilepsy and low folate levels demonstrated.

We’re not suggesting that a vegetable can treat depression or other mental health disorders. Although following a nutritious diet that’s rich in vegetables like collards is important for every aspect of health, including mental health, food can’t take the place of treatments like medication or therapy.

Speak with a mental health professional if you’re experiencing any symptoms of anxiety or depression.

Nutrition

Collards are an absolute nutrient bomb. One cup of cooked, fresh collards blasts your bod with the following:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	44.2 kcal
Protein	4.21 grams (g)
Fat	0.84 g
Carbs (including 5.59 g of fiber and only 0.64 g of sugar)	7.55 g
Calcium	324 milligrams (mg)
Iron	0.65 mg
Magnesium	37.7 mg
Phosphorus	35.1 mg
Potassium	296 mg
Sodium	186 mg
Zinc	0.29 mg
Vitamin C	34.4 mg
Folate	135 micrograms (mcg)
Vitamin A (RAE)	333 mcg
Vitamin E	3.15 mg
Vitamin K	609 mcg

Ooh, baby, I like it raw: Does juicing or cooking reduce the benefits?

There’s an ongoing debate as to whether juicing veg provides any additional benefits.

If you find it difficult to get your daily recommended amount of veg, then juicing could be a time-saving way to get more vitamins and nutrients.

There’s also evidence for this. In a study from 2004, participants showed significant increases in beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and folate after supplementing with fruit and vegetable juices over 14 weeks.

But according to a different study, you could be missing out on the full health benefits of fiber by juicing. Depending on the juicer, as much as 90 percent of fiber vanishes in the juicing process. So it’s best to eat plenty of whole foods for that fiber punch.

However, if you enjoy fresh veggie or fruit juice, that’s fine, too. Just make sure that you’re consuming a variety of fruits and veggies in various forms — raw, cooked, juiced — to get the most benefit from your diet.

Cooking methods can negatively impact the availability of some nutrients and enhance others.

For example, boiling may reduce the vitamin C content of veggies, while cooking them with a fat source like olive oil can actually increase the bioavailability of fat-soluble nutrients like the antioxidants beta-carotene and lycopene.

Risks

If you’re taking medications that thin the blood —– such as warfarin or Coumadin — watch out for foods that contain lots of vitamin K.

Suddenly increasing or decreasing your intake of vitamin K can be risky, as it plays an important role in blood clotting.

Remember, no single fruit or vegetable is going to turn you into Superman or Wonder Woman (although if it did, you’d definitely want to be Supertato). Eating lots of different fruit and veg will help you get the broad range of nutrients your body demands.

Storage and cooking tips

Fresh or canned, don’t make them bland. 😋 You can use collard greens in loads of creative ways, including:

wraps, sandwiches, and salads
soups, stews, and stir-fries
simple sautees and side dishes

Storing collard greens

Keep fresh collard greens in the fridge. They’ll last for around 4–5 days.

Preparing collard greens

For maximum healthitude, steam them for just under 10 minutes. This will help retain all those vitamins and nutrients.

Or why not go raw and throw a handful into your favorite green smoothie? Ditch the bougie kale and start rooting for the underdog. It’s actually a pretty safe bet.

Collard green chips

Looking for a healthier alternative to potato chips, but don’t want to miss out your fix of salty goodness?

Say hello to collard green chips. This super easy recipe will have you hooked. Here’s how to make them:

Remove the thick inner stems from the greens.
Toss those bad boys in extra-virgin olive oil.
Stick ’em in the oven at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 15–30 minutes until crispy AF.
Cover them in your favorite spice combo, such as cumin, chili powder, roasted red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.

Recipes

It’s hard to beat the classics, of course. But there are loads of vibrant new recipes using collard greens. Here’s a roundup of our faves:

Need some more inspo? Here’s how to bring life to your collard greens.

Takeaway

There’s more to collard greens than meets the eye. Much more than a basic Christmas dinner table side dish.

Packed full of nutrients, these cruciferous green vegetables boast an array of benefits for the body and brain. Used in soups, stews, stir-fries and sandwiches, there’s a ton of different ways to sneak them into your diet.

So get yourself in the kitchen and give this underrated vegetable a chance to shine.