Rediscover rhubarb

Rhubarb has a surprising number of health benefits. Here’s why you should grab some the next time you go grocery shopping, even if you’re not planning on baking a pie.

It’s rich in antioxidants
Cooked rhubarb is packed with antioxidants. In fact, it has many of the same beneficial compounds as kale does. Its red color is caused by the presence of lycopene and anthocyanin, both of which can help prevent heart disease and some cancers.

It keeps your bones healthy
Vitamin K helps your bones grow and repair themselves and promotes faster blood clotting. A cup of rhubarb provides about 45 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin K and 10 per cent of the recommended daily intake of calcium for adults. Thanks to this, it can help prevent conditions like osteoporosis.

It keeps you regular
The high fiber content of rhubarb stalks can help reduce gas and bloating and make your bathroom trips a bit more comfortable. Another benefit of dietary fiber is that it can lower cholesterol levels, although a cup of rhubarb only provides nine per cent of your recommended daily intake.

As a bonus, rhubarb is mostly water, so it’s a good choice for calorie-counting diners.