KOHLRABI –The Weird Looking Superfood

Kohlrabi is a superfood with a very unusual shape and its origins have been lost in history. A well-known vegetable to the Romans and were likely grown in most part of its empire. In the Roman Imperial cookbook written by Apicius, Kohlrabi was mentioned being used in recipes. The Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne required that this vegetable be planted in the Imperial garden. Kohlrabi spread to India by the 1600s by means of trade and has become their staple crop. It is now being farmed in China, the Middle East, Africa and many parts of the globe.

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It belongs to the Brassica Oleracee family. It is not a root vegetable as what most people think it is, although its name has reference to turnips. Cruciferous plants have stems and bulbs which grow above ground. They are available throughout the year with its peak season during summer.

As for nutritional and health benefits, kohlrabi is loaded with vitamin C that can boost the immune system which is vital in preventing numerous kinds of diseases and also helps in improving absorption of iron and in regenerating vitamin E.  Do you know that a cup of kohlrabi contains only about 36 calories?

It is a rich source of dietary fiber that promotes regular bowel movement by maintaining a healthy intestine. Fibers also help in stabilizing the amount of good bacteria in the body, including lowering the risk of ailments of the digestive system.  If you’re on a diet, this is your best choice as it makes you feel full longer.

Kohlrabi is also low in cholesterol and saturated fat, resulting to a healthy heart and a good circulatory system.  A high level of saturated fats in the body can lead to cardiovascular problems like heart attack.

Just like other vegetable belonging to the Brassica family, Kohlrabi has phytochemicals like indole-3-carbinol, isothiocyanates and Sulforaphane that protects us from colon and prostate cancers.

The potassium that this super veggie carries assures a good nerve and muscle functions. It helps store carbohydrates, which serve as a fuel for the muscle.

Kohlrabi can normalize the sugar imbalance in the body, making it ideal for people with diabetes and hypoglycemia. Its leaves have a good amount of vitamin A which is valuable for good eyesight. It can treat viral infections and Candida.

As for safety concerns, persons with thyroid problem are advised to avoid Kohlrabi or any cruciferous vegetable for that matter, as they contain a compound called goitrogens which causes the thyroid glands to swell.

Try them baked, pureed, boiled, roasted, braised, steamed, BBQ’d or stir-fried…simply delicious!

What Will People Benefit from Practicing Organic Farming?

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The agricultural sector today practices organic farming. Farmers find it very profitable due to its immense benefits it provides for the health and the environment. Listed below are eight of the benefits of organic farming:

• It promotes biodiversity. Methods or organic farming, such as crop rotation in promoting soil fertility and raising livestock naturally, can help promote biodiversity. It is a known fact that organic farms are sanctuaries for wildlife.
• It reduces pollution. Although the term ‘farm smog’ doesn’t exist, conventional farms reanimate this form of pollution through the use of synthetic fertilizers and chemically-treated pesticides. If these treatment remedies are removed in farming, organic farms will be very beneficial and pose less risk to the environment.
• It prevents toxic substance. At present, almost all of the acres in the country have applied different non-organic methods. One-third of the land is utilized for crop rotation, while the remaining land is for livestock. Nevertheless, all of this land mass is subjected to chemical use in the form of fertilizers and pesticides. Total eradication of these substances will greatly benefit the environment and the health of every individual.
• It provides best-tasting food. Organically grown foods taste better than its conventional counterpart. Studies reveal that organic crops contain low nitrate contents. Moreover, sweet-tasting fruits contain high levels of antioxidants.
• It creates more jobs. According to researches, around 10,000 certified organic producers are identified today compared to millions of conventional farms. However, the former is more profitable despite the fact that it needs more employees.
• It helps prevent climate change. Since organic farming prevents the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, it decreases the use of non-renewable energy. Synthetic fertilizers and chemically-treated pesticides use considerable amounts of fossil fuels, which is applied in conventional farming. What’s more interesting is that organic farming increases the return or carbon in the soil, resulting in less impact on the global warming.
•  It ensures safe water. Since soil is considered as a natural water filter, organic farming promotes soil enrichment that eliminates the risk of groundwater pollution and rehabilitates soil where water supply damage is present.
• It preserves the culture of agriculture. The food is said to be the most common thing that is shared by every culture. Organic farming embraces biodiversity and healthfulness, which prevents the damaging chemical toxins from the food crops and the environment.

The above mentioned benefits will greatly help people maintain healthy living while promoting biodiversity and a serene environment.