The Power of Green Foods: The Magical Color That Heals Body and Mind
These days, the word “green” carries a positive meaning across many areas: green industries, green cities, green zones, and more. The food world is no exception. In many countries, “green food zones” are designated around elementary, middle, and high schools. These zones ban or limit the sale of harmful or low-nutrition foods within 200 meters of schools to protect children’s dietary safety. There’s also a “Green Label” certification system that marks products as safe and high quality.
What Green Represents
Green, the color of comfort
If we had to express nature in one color, it would be green. Green symbolizes comfort and calm. Forest bathing—walking through green woods—is even called “healing forest therapy.” Just as our eyes feel relaxed when looking at green, so does the body. Green provides visual comfort, relieves fatigue, eases anger, and calms the nerves.
Types of Green Foods
Green vegetables everyone recommends
In traditional Korean medicine, green corresponds to the element "wood" and is believed to benefit liver function. People who are often angry or have high blood pressure are recommended green foods, as these traits may be linked to poor liver health. Green foods also help support lung health, which is why fresh green vegetables are often suggested for smokers.
The term “green food” has two meanings: green-colored foods and organically grown foods. Examples of natural green foods include pumpkin leaves, perilla leaves, mugwort, crown daisy, lettuce, celery, broccoli, green tea, garlic chives, and asparagus. However, foods that are green outside but not inside—like cucumbers or watermelons—are not considered true green foods.
Key Nutrients in Green Foods
Four major wellness nutrients: Chlorophyll, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, and Iron
Green foods are rich in chlorophyll, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and iron. Chlorophyll contains high levels of magnesium—a mineral that helps relax the nerves, compared to calcium which excites them. Chlorophyll is found in green leafy vegetables like lettuce, green fruits like kiwi, and green algae like chlorella and seaweed.
Chlorophyll, beta-carotene, and vitamin C are all antioxidants. Their main role is to eliminate free radicals, the leading cause of aging and disease.
The iron in green vegetables is non-heme iron, which is less easily absorbed than the heme iron found in meat. However, it still plays an important role—especially in diets rich in vegetables, as vitamin C helps boost its absorption.
How to Use Pine Needles
A seasonal green food of fall: Pine needles
One traditional green food to pay attention to in autumn is pine needles. With their deep aroma, pine needles are widely used in cooking. When added to rice while cooking, they help prevent spoilage thanks to their natural antibacterial properties. Wrapping rice cakes in clean pine needles prevents mold and keeps them from sticking or hardening.
Pine needles are also effective for quenching thirst. Traditionally, monks would chew pine needles while hiking in the mountains to hydrate themselves—an experience-backed method showing that the moisture in pine needles is easily absorbed by the body. In Buddhist temples, pine needles are highly valued. Monks in seated meditation often eat pine needle powder mixed with soybean flour.
There are many other ways to use pine needles: as a bath soak, in pillows or mattresses to improve sleep, or brewed into tea. To make pine needle tea, simply add a teaspoon of dried, finely chopped pine needles to a cup, pour in hot water at 90°C (194°F), and steep. Pine needle tea is known to help with abdominal fat, high blood pressure, and even nighttime urination.
Signature Green Foods
Broccoli — one of Time magazine’s top 10 superfoods
Broccoli, named one of the “Top 10 Superfoods” by Time magazine, is a powerhouse green food. It’s rich in selenium, a mineral known to fight cancer, delay aging, and strengthen the immune system.
Spinach is another green food, famous for containing the highest amount of vitamin A among vegetables. Vitamin A is essential for eye health and is found more in the leaves than the stems of spinach.
Your health buddy is here for you. Wishing you a healthy and happy day ahead. Stay well!💖
This content is for informational purposes only and does not hold any individual or entity legally responsible. For accurate diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, please visit a nearby medical institution. This does not represent my final medical opinion and may vary depending on specific circumstances and evolving medical perspectives.
