Chard is a biennial plant but is typically cultivated as an annual. Unlike other varieties of B. vulgaris, the plant does not have fleshy roots. Its large leaves can grow to more than 30 cm (1 foot) in length and can be harvested continually throughout the growing season, though production slows in the heat of summer.
Chard
Cell repair, cardiovascular, cognitive health, FODMAP.
Chard, like other green leafy vegetables, has highly nutritious leaves, making it a popular component of healthy diets. Chard has been used in cooking for centuries, but because it is the same species as beetroot, the common names that cooks and cultures have used for chard may be confusing; it has many common names, such as silver beet, perpetual spinach, beet spinach, seakale beet, or leaf beet.
Fresh chard can be used raw in salads, stirfries, soups or omelets. The raw leaves can be used like a tortilla wrap. Chard leaves and stalks are typically boiled or sautéed; the bitterness fades with cooking.
Swiss chard is a nutrient-packed, high-volume food that is low in calories, fat, sodium, and cholesterol. It provides many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin K, iron, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin E.
Like kale, spinach, and other dark, leafy greens, chard is highly nutritious and is often considered a superfood. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on "powerhouse" vegetables gave chard a score of 89.27 (out of 100) in nutrient density.
That means it has high amounts, per calorie, of 17 "nutrients of public health importance:" potassium, fiber, protein, calcium, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K. The report says these powerhouse foods could be protective against chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
Repairs Cell Damage
Some of that protection could come from the antioxidants in Swiss chard, which help the body fight inflammation and cell damage. This, in turn, may help prevent or slow the progression of some diseases and infections.
Decreases Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Research shows an association between the consumption of leafy green vegetables and a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease. People who consumed more of these veggies were more than 15% less likely to have cardiovascular disease
High vitamin K - blood thinning medication, high calcium -.kidney stones.
Allergies
Although it is unusual, allergies to Swiss chard have been reported.6 In addition, if you have hay fever caused by mugwort pollen, you may experience oral allergy syndrome (OAS) when consuming chard.
Symptoms include itchiness or swelling around the mouth. These usually subside when you stop eating chard. Rarely, OAS can progress to anaphylaxis. Know the symptoms of anaphylaxis and seek immediate treatment if you experience them.7
Adverse Effects
Chard is high in vitamin K, which helps regulate blood clotting. People who take certain blood thinners, such as Coumadin (warfarin), need to consume consistent amounts of vitamin K. If you are taking blood thinners, discuss your diet with your doctor. The right amount of dietary vitamin K varies from person to person.
If you are susceptible to kidney stones, speak to your doctor about consuming chard. It is high in oxalates, which can cause calcium build-up that can lead to kidney stones.
Vitamins A,K,C,E. Magnesium, manganese, Iron, potassium , calcium, antioxidants, dietary fibre.