Source: Nourish by webmd-https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-callaloo#
A beloved Caribbean dish, callaloo is a hearty, healthy, and versatile meal that can vary considerably from one region to the next. It is a culinary mainstay for many island nations, and is the national dish in both the Commonwealth of Dominica and Trinidad & Tobago.
Most varieties of callaloo feature the leaves of plants in the amaranth family. In fact, it’s such a common ingredient, this plant is often referred to as “callaloo” in many regions. In some places outside of the Caribbean, water spinach may be used as the dominant vegetable in callaloo. Many versions of callaloo also include taro, which is called “callaloo bush” in some areas.
While nearly every take on callaloo features some type of leafy green vegetable, the other ingredients used depend on location and availability. In Trinidad & Tobago, most callaloo recipes call for okra. In other places, ingredients can include crab, conch, lobster, pumpkin, chili pepper, or scotch bonnet pepper.
Health Benefits
Callaloo recipes may vary, but all include some form of leafy green vegetable. This provides the majority of the dish's nutritional benefits.
Digestive Health
Vegetables such as amaranth and taro are high in dietary fiber. Increasing your fiber intake helps increase the bulk of your stools to aid in digestion and prevent constipation. Healthy fiber intake also reduces your likelihood of developing hemorrhoids and other common digestive complaints.
Cancer Prevention
The amaranth leaves found in many versions of callaloo contain significant levels of flavonoids, which may limit the impact of free radicals and cancer-causing compounds. People who regularly consume the flavonoids found in amaranth and other leafy green vegetables may have a lower risk of developing several types of cancer.
Prevent Cognitive Problems
Amaranth leaves contain the compound tocotrienol. Research links higher levels of tocotrienol with lower rates of cognitive disease, including Alzheimer's disease. High tocotrienol intake could also reduce your likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease.
Heart Disease Prevention
The tocotrienols found in amaranth leaves may also help lessen cardiac changes associated with aging. In particular, tocotrienols limit the impact of some risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol.
