Despite its name, Swiss chard doesn’t come from Switzerland. It actually comes from the Mediterranean, that paragon of health we’ve all be hearing so much about lately.
The Nutrients
Swiss chard is related to spinach and provides many of the same health benefits. It’s loaded with nutrients, most notably vitamin K, calcium and magnesium (which are good for bone and muscle health as well as blood pressure), vitamin A (for eye and lung health) vitamins C and E (antioxidants), not to mention manganese, iron, phosphorous, zinc, and various B vitamins.
The Benefits of Fiber
It’s also an excellent source of fiber, which acts as a prebiotic, since it feeds the beneficial bacteria in our guts (the guys we want to stick around). This is important because the health of our gut biome affects everything from our immune system to our skin to our cognitive function.
Mark Sisson labeled Swiss Chard a smart fuel.