Health Benefits of Collard Greens

7. Lower Cholesterol

Some people increase their intake of collard greens to lower the presence of LDL or bad cholesterol. When bile acids bind together with fiber-like compounds like those found in collard greens, they are more easily excreted from the body. After the bile acids are gone, cells in the body break apart some cholesterol into its component bile acids to replace the acids that are gone. This is beneficial for lowering cholesterol. In a recent study that tested this process, researchers measured the effectiveness of collards against mustard greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green bell peppers, spinach, and cabbage. Collard greens, both raw and steamed, carried out this beneficial role better than all other vegetables in the study.