Turnip greens, raw

Fun Facts

1. Turnip tops carry more vitamins and minerals than that of thier tuber. Yet, the leafy tops are very low in calories consisting of just 32 calories per 100 g.
2. Like kale and mustard greens, turnip tops are quite compact in terms of nutrition profile of vitamins and minearls and health benefiting anti-oxidant properties.
3. Turnip greens are one of the excellent sources of ß-carotene, lutein and zea-xanthin. 100 g fresh raw greens provide 6952 µg, and 11984 µg of ß-carotene and lutein-zeaxanthin levels respectively. These flavonoids have strong anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A inside the human body.
4. Zea-xanthin, an important dietary carotenoid, is selectively absorbed into the retinal macula lutea in the eyes where it thought to provide antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. Thus, it helps prevent retinal detachment and offer protection against “age-related macular degeneration related macular degeneration disease” (ARMD) in the elderly.
5. The top greens are one of the highest vitamin A sources in the plant kingdom. 100 g leaves provide 11587 IU or 386% of RDA. Vitamin A is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin and is essential for vision. Foods rich in this vitamin are known to offer protection against lung and oral cavity cancers.