Study identifies 41 powerhouse fruits and vegetables for health

Kale has been kicked off the top spot

Lovers of kale cite wide ranging health benefits from fighting cancer to reducing the risk of heart disease.

However, despite its popularity in recent years, kale does not even make the top 10 fruits and vegetables for health, according to one study.

The study

Researchers from William Paterson University in New Jersey, USA looked at the nutrient density of more than 40 fruits and vegetables for health.

These foods were chosen because, on average, they provide 10 per cent or more of the daily recommended intake of 17 critical nutrients per 100 Calories.

These nutrients are considered important for reducing the risk of chronic diseases (including anxiety). They are potassium, fibre, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc plus the vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K.

Of the foods studied, 41 satisfied the criteria to be named “powerhouse”. 

“The scores can serve as a platform for educating people on the concept of nutrient density,” said study author Jennifer Di Noia. “The rankings provide clarity on the nutrient quality of the different foods and may aid in the selection of more nutrient-dense items within the powerhouse group.”

However, some other nutrient-dense foods such as berries and garlic have not made the list because of the particular nutrient profiling that the study was based on, though in other nutrient density rankings they would rate highly, as Professor Di Noia acknowledged.