The cream of the CROPS

From spinach to broad beans – discover which veg packs a powerful nutritional punch

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While we might think that adding any type of greens to our plate gives us bonus points for being healthy, some are actually better for us than others. 'What one vegetable is low in, another may be a good source of, and this is why variety is so important,' says Sarah Jones, nutritionist for Discover Great Veg. 'The natural compounds that give vegetables their colour (phytochemicals) are beneficial to our health as they act as antioxidants and can protect from harmful disease. This is why we are encouraged to “eat a rainbow”.' Here, our experts explain the healthiest vegetables you need to be eating and why.

Spinach

The nutrient-dense leaf has a host of benefits, but is commonly linked to helping protect against cancer, says nutrition expert Penny Weston. 'This is thanks to its high source of zeaxanthin and carotenoids, which can help flush out the free radicals from your body that can make you prone to some types of the disease.' In fact, eating spinach could help reduce colon cancer by up to 50%*, found a US study.

Asparagus