Despite their low-calorie count, collard greens contain many important nutrients. Just 2 cups (72 grams) of raw collard greens provide:

• Calories: 24
• Carbs: 4 grams
• Fiber: 2.8 grams
• Protein: 2 grams
• Fat: 0.4 grams
• Vitamin K: 128% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Calcium: 16% of the DV
• Vitamin C: 28% of the DV
• Folate: 23% of the DV
• Vitamin A: 20% of the DV
• Magnesium: 5% of the DV
• Potassium: 3% of the DV
• Phosphorus: 1% of the DV

Furthermore, they are high in beneficial plant chemicals known as antioxidants, including phenols, polyphenols, and alpha-lipoic acid. Antioxidants fight free radicals in your body to minimize oxidative stress. Collard greens are high in nutrients and low in calories. They are high in calcium, folate, and vitamins K, C, and A. They're also abundant in fiber and antioxidants.

Cruciferous foods, such as collard greens, have anti-cancer properties. In reality, both earlier and recent studies indicate that those who consume a lot of cruciferous vegetables have a lower chance of acquiring various cancers, such as prostate, breast, ovarian, lung, bladder, and colon cancer. Older and recent test-tube and animal studies have also shown a relationship between consuming cruciferous vegetables and a lower risk of cancer. This hopeful advantage might be attributed to glucosinolates, which are plant chemicals present in cruciferous vegetables.

When glucosinolates are broken down in your body, they are transformed into isothiocyanate (ITC). ITC protects your cells against harm and may aid in the prevention of several types of cancer. Nonetheless, human research and studies on collard greens are sparse. More study is needed to understand how this vegetable might help prevent cancer.

Collard greens are high in calcium and vitamin K, both of which are beneficial to bone health. In fact, 1 cup (170 grams) of these cooked greens has 27% of the daily need for calcium and 883 percent of the daily value for vitamin K. Almost bulk of the calcium in your body is stored in your bones and teeth, where it helps to sustain their structure and function.

If you don't receive enough calcium for an extended length of time, your bones may begin to deteriorate, making them thinner and more prone to fractures. This occurs because your body need the stored calcium for other vital processes such as nerve communication and muscular action. Calcium supplementation is very crucial for older persons, particularly postmenopausal women. It can assist to slow the natural aging process of bone loss.

Meanwhile, vitamin K stimulates the activity of proteins that support bone health and metabolism. Many older and recent observational studies, for example, believe that a lack of vitamin K may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. However, controlled investigations have proven inconclusive, suggesting that additional study is required.

Collard greens are high in nutrients that are beneficial to the entire body, including your eyes. These green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin A, which has been linked to improved vision, as well as antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are both members of the colorful carotenoid family and may be found in the macula and retina of your eyes.

These antioxidants have been demonstrated in studies to help prevent eye disorders such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, one study found that consuming one or more servings of collard greens per week was associated with a 57% lower chance of getting glaucoma.

Heart disease is the top cause of mortality in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fortunately, several studies have shown that making lifestyle changes such as increasing physical exercise, quitting smoking, and eating more cruciferous vegetables will lower your risk of heart disease.

It's also worth mentioning that cruciferous and leafy green veggies may be better for your heart than other vegetable groups. Finally, one animal study discovered that collard greens enhanced heart health indicators such as total and LDL (bad) cholesterol, as well as systolic blood pressure.