Western culture is now almost completely removed from the process of food production, yet research studies point to the value of raising nutritious, organic foods for ourselves, even in small urban settings.
Garden therapy, or spending time planting, watering, digging, and pruning, is linked with cognitive and mental health improvements. Learning to grow your own vegetables is also rewarding and fun. If you’d like to experience these benefits or are looking for a new, therapeutic hobby, here are six of the healthiest vegetables that even a new gardener can grow in containers on a porch or in a backyard garden.
1. Kale
Kale, a member of the cabbage family, is a well-known superfood that has received a lot of attention from researchers and health publications in recent years. Kale’s nutritional lineup includes vitamins A, K, and C, and essential minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Kale is also a rich source of dietary fiber, which acts like a prebiotic and increases nutrient absorption in the gut.
Kale juice is high in antioxidants and protects your body against oxidative damage and chronic disease. Kale ranks much higher in nutrient density when compared with vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and most alliums.
Because it’s a fairly hardy plant and can be used in a variety of dishes, kale is a wonderful addition to any vegetable garden and can easily be grown in containers on a porch or in a sunroom.
2. Onion
Onion has been used for its healing properties for centuries in traditional medicine, but recent research has demonstrated that onions contain compounds useful in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases.
Onion oil has also been studied for its topical benefits, including hair regrowth for alopecia areata patients (onion oil significantly improved hair regrowth in alopecia areata patients and was ruled an effective topical therapy) and the healing of dermal scar tissue.
One study compared wound healing results after the daily application of onion gel and found that scars were significantly softer and less noticeable after just four and eight weeks of use. Most of these health benefits can be traced to onion’s high concentration of sulfur amino acids, flavonoids, phytosterols, and saponins—compounds that have anticancer, antibiotic, and antithrombotic activity.
If you don’t have a backyard plot, ask your local greenhouse what type of containers they recommend for growing onions—their recommendations will vary depending on the type of onion you want to grow and the climate you’re in.
3. Potatoes
White potatoes are a rich source of potassium, fiber, vitamin C, and resistant starch, but they have received little attention in the popular health world over the past decade due to recent diet trends that discourage carbohydrate intake and misinformation that incorrectly links all potato consumption with obesity and diabetes.
Potatoes, when consumed in whole form and not as French fries or potato chips, can be healthy. In fact, researchers have demonstrated that white potatoes contain more potassium per serving than any other vegetable, and removing white potatoes from your diet may severely impact your potassium levels, especially in children, particularly if you don’t consume other potassium-rich foods. Yet despite these findings, U.S. consumption of whole potatoes continues to drop.
By adding these nutritious powerhouses to your garden, you can easily improve your health and benefit from the wide variety of nutrients and satiating carbohydrates contained in these humble tubers. Plus, by growing them yourself, you can avoid some of the pitfalls of conventionally grown potatoes, like exposure to pesticides and heavy metals in soil. Like onions, you’ll need to research proper containers for growing potatoes if you don’t have access to a garden plot.
4. Tomatoes
Regular consumption of tomatoes is linked with decreased risk of chronic illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Lycopene, the carotenoid responsible for the pink and red colors in tomato fruit, is a potent antioxidant that has been extensively studied for its ability to prevent carcinogenesis and atherogenesis. Scientists have estimated that lycopene may be up to 10 times more potent than other antioxidants like α-tocopherol. An increased intake of tomato has been associated with a decreased risk of prostate and breast cancers.
Tomatoes are some of the easiest plants to grow in either a container or in a garden plot, making them a prime vegetable for first-time gardeners.
5. Cauliflower
Both white and purple cauliflower species are high in phenolic compounds, which directly contribute to antioxidant action in the body. Purple cauliflower is especially high in anthocyanins, a type of phenolic compound that gives purple cauliflower its rich color. This potent antioxidant offers anti-inflammatory and antiviral protection in the body.
Research indicates that cauliflower leaves may have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Scientists are eagerly testing the various health benefits that cauliflower leaves may offer.
While cauliflower can grow quite large and needs plenty of space to grow, it has a shallow root system, making it ideal for growing in raised garden beds or containers.
6. Bell Peppers
The potent antioxidant and bioactive compounds found in bell peppers (also known as sweet peppers) may protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Green, yellow, and red bell peppers are all high in phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid, which protect the body’s cells via free radical scavenging activity.
Interestingly, organic growing methods seem to increase the antioxidant potential of bell peppers, while conventional growing methods may decrease the amount of helpful compounds like carotenoids and vitamin C—another reason to grow these antioxidant powerhouses in your own garden.
This list only scratches the surface of the numerous vegetables and fruits you can begin growing in your own garden or in containers around your home. For more information on the research surrounding the benefits of vegetable intake, please visit the GreenMedInfo.com vegetable research database.
The GMI Research Group is dedicated to investigating the most important health and environmental issues of the day. Special emphasis will be placed on environmental health. Our focused and deep research will explore the many ways in which the present condition of the human body directly reflects the true state of the ambient environment. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Sign up for the newsletter.
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