Some may call it a weed, others my wince at the portion on their dinner plate.Yet, the future is looking brighter for our English grown cabbage. Sales of kale have increased by 40% in the last year thanks to the coverage it has been given by celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and even Gwenyth Paltrow (and we all want her angelic skin).

So what is it about kale?

According to research by the Daily Mail, kale is:

-Higher in iron than beef. Iron helps with the formation of haemoglobin and enzymes and is essential for liver function and cell growth.

-It is low-calorie, high in fibre and contains no fat.

-It is high in Vitamin K, which can protect against some cancers and which is necessary for bone health and prevention of clotting.

-It is filled with antioxidants which protect against cancer.

-It has anti-inflammatory properties so can help fight conditions such as arthritis.

-It is good for your heart and can help lower cholesterol.

-It is high in Vitamin A, which is good for vision and skin as well as helping to prevent lung and mouth cancers.

-It is high in Vitamin C, which is important for the immune system.

-It contains high levels of calcium which prevents bone loss preventing osteoporosis and which is good for the metabolism.

According to research undertaken by the Telegraph kale contains:

– zeaxanthin, which a recent study has connected high dietary intake of with lower incidence of age-related macular degeneration, most notably Age-Related Eye Disease.

-It is high in magnesium (good for blood circulation, nerves and bones)

-Antioxidants galore

-high levels of lutein, which is thought to help prevent macular degeneration;

It gets better.

A farmer who grows kale interviewed by the Daily Mail claimed that kale is attractive to buy because of its “round-pound”retail prices – such as £1 for a 200g bag in Sainsbury’s. How cheap is that when it comes to feeding your family or having a small dose daily?

Kale sales have soared. It seems to me that this once regarded weed, is now becoming humans best friend. The ugly duckling, is now the swan. Below is some easy ways to prepare kale.

As always, green means go! Waking up in the morning with a high content of vitamin A will have you ready to rock-n-roll. Below is one of Gwynth Paltrow’s recipes which contributes to her bright eyes and clear skin (Gwyneth Paltrow’s recipe from It’s All Good: Delicious, Easy Recipes that Will Make You Look Good And Feel Great) :

5 large leaves of kale, ribs discarded,leaves roughly chopped

1 lemon, zest and pith removed

1 large apple, roughly chopped

2.5cm piece of fresh ginger

1 sprig of fresh mint

Pass all ingredients through a juicer and drink.

Jamie Oliver, in his 15-Minute Meals, suggests making a warm kale and bean salad to compliment your main dish, however there is much healthier sides to make with the use of high protein and low fat grilled chicken rather than Jamie’s sausage gnocci. ( http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pork-recipes/sausage-gnocchi-with-warm-kale-bean-salad)

Kale is grown on UK turf, and for this reason was heavily promoted during the Second World War Dig for Victory campaign. Not only for its nutritious value but also because of the fact that it can be grown nearly all year round! Kale’s peak season runs from the end of June until March/April of the following year – which made it a wonderful resource that we should be thankful for. So give this purse friendly veg-a-go.