Kale Side Effects & Controversies
There is a lot of research being carried out not only towards the health benefits of kale, but also towards the negative impact that can arise out of the consumption of kale in higher quantities.
Kale cultivation and method of growing kale is also a high degree of discussion. There are many pesticides are used on kale crops, which may give rise of the side effects. Generally, these side effects are arising out of pesticides used and infused during the process of cultivation.
Bio farming and even organic kale is in the picture now, which states clearly the increased demand towards kale.
Kale is consumed as salads, or even as a stew. The Danes have it as a specialty during the New Years Dinner in a stewed form.
The side effects of Kale intake as stated by a few researches are as follows:
There has been a lot of research, which has been undertaken on animals such as sheep and other livestock. Goiter is one such disease, which is supposed to develop in these animals.
In certain cases, the kids were born with goiter. In other cases, the lambs were stillborn. Research even states that it has a drastic effect on the thyroid gland, which in turn leads to reduced capacity of the gland to generate iodine.
It has even lead to poisoning in cows. Other research states that the so-called reduced effects, which Kale is supposed to provide is in fact to be disregarded.
The reason being, the content of indole which is supposed to cause cancer and hormone imbalances. The content of antioxidants, leads to the prevention of combating cancer.
Kale can even lead to other digestive disorders because of the content of fructans in it. It could lead you to feeling bloated. Anti-nutrient content in Kale is another important point of discussion.
Extensive research in this area has pointed out, that Kale contains anti-nutrients that diminish the quantity of minerals and vitamins. Kale most certainly seems to have its own positives and negatives like the two sides of the same coin.
The production of Kale is another disputed factor. With the consumption and the demand for Kale being on the rise, large-scale production is required.
This in turn means, fertile land being required for farming and an immense quantity of water utilized for the purpose of irrigation.
Side effects on Immunity and liver
Manure has to be used to a large extent. The pesticides used to combat the most common and well-known pest is Pieris rapae, comprises of dioxins, which damage the immune system and the liver.
Organic methods of growing Kale also have adverse effects
Shifting to the organic method of growing Kale can have its side effects as well. Mineral oil used in the organic method of production of kale is said to completely devastate the microhabitats in the soil.
If Kale is grown in your own garden, there can be harmful effects as well. With the pollution on the rise, it could actually contain higher levels of lead and arsenic in it.
Nevertheless, if Kale is consumed in the right quantity with a combination of other food, its side effects can naturally be reduced. When it comes to livestock, the research was done, only considering kale as the intake factor, whereas in humans, Kale would not be the only food consumed.
Impact on Soil Fertilization
Since Kale is best grown with, what is considered as drinking water by us, a considerable amount is utilized for this purpose.
Fertilization is a hot burning topic of utmost importance during the farming of Kale, since it has the ability to reduce the fertility of the soil itself.