It's amazing how a simple "makeover," whether deliberate or accidental, can make certain products more in demand in the market. Take, for example, a slew of greens, including kale and Brussels sprouts.
These types of greens, along with beans and broccoli, are highly saleable around Christmastime in Britain. However, ever since celebrities and other popular individuals start to sing praises over their benefits and creating supposed-to-be delicious smoothies and juices with them, the demand has just skyrocketed.
According to the recent data provided by Kantar Worlpanel, kale sales rose by as much as 54% within the last year. Kale, also known as borecole, is currently touted as one of the healthiest kinds of food in the world. Belonging to the cabbage family, kale has a very low calorie count of no more than 33 calories for every cup. However, in the same measurement, you can already get around 3 grams of protein, vitamins C and K, folate for brain development, and 2.5 grams of fiber. It also helps in reducing cholesterol, especially when it's steamed, and has potent anti-cancer properties, especially against breast, colon, and ovarian cancers.
Sale of the tiny Brussels sprouts has also soared during the same period. Adding to its popularity is the interesting mix of juices sold by large brands such as Marks & Spencer. In fact, the demand has become so high farmers are now encouraged to plant them at other seasons. They also have increased the dedicated land by more than 25% in order to accommodate the demand.
Brussels sprouts, which belong to the family of cruciferous vegetables, contain 43 calories per 100 grams. It is a very rich source of vitamin C, containing more than 3 times of the vitamin found in oranges. They are also known to protect cells from damage and, like kale, have anti-cancer properties.
The ideal serving of these sprouts is 2 cups per day for 4 to 5 times each week.