Are Turnip Greens Healthy? 10 Health Benefits (2024)

  • Nutritional Value
    • What is the nutritional value of turnip greens?
  • Health Benefits
    • 10 health benefits of turnip greens
  • Side Effects
    • What are possible side effects of turnip greens?
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Are Turnip Greens Healthy? 10 Health Benefits (1)

Turnip greens are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Learn about 10 health benefits of this cruciferous vegetable

Turnip greens are the leafy part of turnips and belong to the cruciferous vegetable family, along with cabbage, kale, and broccoli. Turnip greens are healthy and rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Turnip greens can be eaten raw and added to salads, but since the fiber content is high, it is better to eat them cooked. Turnip greens have a spicy flavor similar to mustard seeds.

What is the nutritional value of turnip greens?

One cup of chopped, raw turnip greens (55 grams) contain:

  • Calories: 18
  • Total fat: 0.2 grams
  • Sodium: 22 mg
  • Total carbohydrates: 3.9 grams
  • Dietary fiber: 1.8 grams
  • Sugar: 0.5 grams
  • Protein: 0.8 grams
  • Vitamin A: 6,372.9 IU
  • Vitamin C: 60 mg
  • Calcium: 104.5 mg
  • Iron: 0.61 mcg
  • Potassium: 163 mg

10 health benefits of turnip greens

  1. May lower cancer risk: Turnip greens contain phytochemicals, glucosinolates, and antioxidants that may help fight against cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) and remove toxins from the body, particularly the liver. These compounds suppress the growth of cancer cells and combat free radical damage.
  2. Boosts immunity: Antioxidants in turnip greens help eliminate free radicals and protect the cells from oxidative damage, improving the health of immune cells. Dietary fiber in turnip greens can also reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity.
  3. Promotes weight loss: Turnip greens are low in calories but high in fiber, which aids in weight loss. Turnip greens may improve metabolism while eliminating excess fat.
  4. Improves digestion: The fiber and water content in turnip greens promote gut health and help with constipation. Glucosinolates provide a suitable environment for the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which prevents digestive disorders.
  5. Prevents osteoporosis: Vitamin K increases calcium absorption and the calcium, magnesium, and vitamin A content in turnip greens improve bone density and help prevent osteoporosis.
  6. Boosts eye health: The vitamin A concentration of turnip greens is quite high, meaning that it is good for maintaining eyesight. Vitamin A plays a role in preventing problems related to vision loss, such as macular degeneration and cataracts.
  7. Boosts skin and hair health: Vitamin C in turnip greens promotes the production of collagen, which is an essential protein that maintains healthy skin and hair. Iron content can also help treat iron deficiency anemia, which is one of the main causes of hair loss.
  8. Helps treat anemia: Turnip greens may help treat anemia because they are high in iron, which plays a role in increasing the red blood cells and hemoglobin levels.
  9. Helps manage asthma: Anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants in turnip greens may improve asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.
  10. Sleep and mood: Turnip greens contain choline, a nutrient that helps with sleep. They also contain folate, which may help with depression.
Are Turnip Greens Healthy? 10 Health Benefits (2)

QUESTION

According to the USDA, there is no difference between a “portion” and a “serving.” See Answer

What are possible side effects of turnip greens?

  • Turnip greens are rich in vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting, and may therefore interfere with medications (such as warfarin). So patients who are on blood thinners should avoid excessive consumption of turnip greens.
  • Turnip greens may interfere with thyroid hormones, so patients with thyroid problems or who are on thyroid medicines should avoid turnip greens.
  • Turnip greens are rich in nitrates, which eventually may convert to nitrites in the body. Patients who are on nitrate therapy for chest pain should avoid a diet high in nitrates.

References

Image Source: iStock Images

NutritionValue.Org. Turnip greens, raw. https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Turnip_greens%2C_raw_nutritional_value.html?size=1+cup%2C+chopped+%3D+55+g

Heart of Wellness. Turnip Greens: A Powerhouse for Good Health. https://heartofwellness.org/turnip-greens-a-powerhouse-for-good-health/

Are Turnip Greens Healthy? 10 Health Benefits (2024)

FAQs

Are Turnip Greens Healthy? 10 Health Benefits? ›

Turnip greens are one of the finest sources of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can offer protection from vitamin-A deficiency, osteoporosis, iron-deficiency anemia, and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases and possibly from colon cancers.

What is the health benefit of turnip greens? ›

Boosts immunity: Antioxidants in turnip greens help eliminate free radicals and protect the cells from oxidative damage, improving the health of immune cells. Dietary fiber in turnip greens can also reduce inflammation and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity.

Is it okay to eat turnip greens every day? ›

Your blood clots too quickly. If you have certain conditions, too many turnip greens -- which are high in vitamin K -- can cause your blood to clot faster than normal.

Which is better, turnip greens or spinach? ›

These two veggies are sourced from different plants, however they are in the same plant cruciferous family. Both are good sources of phytochemicals, fiber and essential nutrients (especially vitamins K, A and C), so one isn't necessarily better than the other.

Are turnips a superfood? ›

They are low in calories but high in fiber as well as vitamin C, potassium and manganese. Turnip health benefits include improved immunity, increased regularity, weight loss and better heart health. They may also contain cancer-fighting compounds that can help protect against several types of cancer.

What is the healthiest way to eat turnip greens? ›

You can use turnip greens just as you would any other leafy green. Toss a bunch into soup, blend them into a pesto, or layer them into lasagna. You can eat them raw—they'll add a nice peppery zing to salads. But you may prefer smaller, younger leaves; the more mature leaves have a stronger flavor.

What healing properties do turnips have? ›

Turnips may be used in case of diabetes, cancer or antimicrobial infections. It may help relieve pain and reduce swelling. It may be used to protect the liver and kidneys. Additionally, it may also lower bad cholesterol levels.

Does turnip greens thin or thicken your blood? ›

Vitamin K Helps Blood Clot (Thickens Blood)

This means that eating foods rich in vitamin K (primarily found in leafy green vegetables) can interact with blood thinning drugs, making them less effective. Therefore, it's important to talk with your doctor to make sure that your dosage is appropriate for your diet.

Which is healthier, collard greens or turnip greens? ›

Turnip greens tend to be higher in certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and calcium, while collard greens are higher in other nutrients like vitamin K and folate.

What takes the bitterness out of turnip greens? ›

Braise them. For sturdy greens with a bite, like rapini, collards, kale, and turnip greens, consider braising. Not only will this slow-cooking cut the bitterness, but it will also soften the otherwise tough leaves.

What is the healthiest vegetable? ›

1. Spinach. Spinach is a leafy green vegetable and a great source of calcium, vitamins, iron, and antioxidants. Due to its iron and calcium content, spinach is a great addition to any meat- or dairy-free diet.

Are turnip greens a laxative? ›

Turnip greens are high in both fiber and water content, which help to prevent constipation, promote regularity and maintain a healthy digestive tract.

What is the #1 SuperFood? ›

1. Dark Leafy Greens. Dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) are an excellent source of nutrients including folate, zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin C and fiber.

Do turnips raise blood pressure? ›

Turnips also provide potassium, which may help lower blood pressure by releasing sodium from the body and helping arteries dilate.

What are 3 facts about turnips? ›

Turnips are in season in the summer. The bulb portion of turnips is a good source of vitamin C, and the greens contain folate, calcium and vitamin E. Large turnips were used to carve Jack-O-Lanterns prior to the pumpkin. The roots, stems and leaves of a turnip are all edible.

Are turnips better for you cooked or raw? ›

Turnips can be enjoyed raw, pickled, boiled, roasted, mashed, stewed, puréed, added to soups, or prepared almost any way you'd make potatoes. Turnips are a healthy alternative to potatoes; they're lower in calories and have fewer carbs. Smaller, sweeter turnips can be sliced into wedges and eaten raw like an apple.

Are turnips good for your liver? ›

Turnips can help protect your liver.

Turnips contain anthocyanins and sulfur compounds, which have been proven helpful in reducing liver toxicity, according to some studies.

Do turnip greens lower blood pressure? ›

The more potassium you consume, the better your chances are of lowering blood pressure. Turnip greens, spinach, romaine lettuce, kale and collards are all options of leafy greens good for high blood pressure patients. These green veggies are low in calories and can also be great for people who are trying to.

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