Coming from the Brassica family, bok choy is a cruciferous green vegetable that has been consumed for thousands of years.
It's not only delicious but also makes for a healthy addition to your regular diet.
Here's more.
Bok choy has several other names such as Baak choi, Pak choi, Chinese chard, Chinese cabbage, Asian cabbage, or Celery mustard - depending on which region you are in. The dark green vegetable boasts a distinctive flavor, making it an amazing ingredient in various culinary preparations. Also, when it comes to nutrition profile, it offers a lot including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, etc. along with fiber, folate, calcium, sodium, beta-carotene, and more. In this article, we will discuss the five potential health benefits that bok choy can provide you with.
It may promote bone strength
As per health experts, bok choy is highly beneficial for those struggling with a low bone mineral density. The vegetable has a high amount of iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin K - all of which are good for your bone health. It strengthens the bones and also reduces your risk of developing osteoporosis.
It may support your thyroid functions
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. It produces certain hormones that play a significant role in several bodily functions. Research has found that this gland requires an adequate amount of selenium to function properly. And guess what, bok choy is packed with selenium!
It may boost your eyesight
Selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene - all these nutrients present in bok choy are good for eye health. It significantly protects your coronary tract from the formation of cataracts as well as glaucoma. So, it's evident that regular consumption of this vegetable may reduce your risk of developing several eye issues including macular degeneration.
It may improve your heart health
Bok choy is rich in heart-healthy minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It contains folate and vitamin B6 that reduce the level of homocysteine - which is known to be harmful to blood vessels. Also, regular intake controls the levels of both blood pressure as well as cholesterol, thus helping your heart to function at a normal pace. This is why people who eat this vegetable daily are at a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disorders.
It may prevent your cancer risk
Like many other cruciferous vegetables, bok choy is also loaded with anticancer properties such as folate, selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Also, it has a special sulfur-containing compound called glucosinolates that when consumed, get converted into isothiocyanates in your body - which is known to be a powerful cancer-fighting compound. Research has shown that consuming bok choy regularly can lower the risk of oral, breast, kidney, colorectal, and some other types of cancer.
Apart from these, bok choy may also boost immunity, prevent oxidative stress, aid in digestion, increase blood circulation, and more.
