Kale and lentils as nutrient-rich foods to fight malnutrition
What it found
Kale is rich in several vitamins and minerals, but its full nutrient profile, including prebiotic carbohydrates, has not been well studied.
The authors say it could complement lentils in diets that lack micronutrients.
What they found
Studies in people
Lentils and iron in children
In a pilot study in Sri Lanka, 33 mildly anemic children who ate 50 grams of red lentils daily for two months significantly improved their iron status.
Obesity and malnutrition
More than 39% of adults are overweight and about 13% are obese worldwide. Micronutrient malnutrition affects more than two billion people globally.
Studies in people and animals
Prebiotics and gut health
Prebiotic carbohydrates feed helpful gut bacteria and may help combat obesity and related diseases. Lentils provide over 13 grams of prebiotic carbohydrates per 100 gram serving.
Other findings
Kale nutrients
Kale is rich in vitamins A, K, and C, and probably folate, plus minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and dietary fiber. It may also contain carotenoids, folate, and prebiotic carbohydrates, but these have not been well characterized.
Kale research gap
Kale has not been extensively studied for nutrition. A search found only four relevant studies on kale and nutrition, and no studies of kale nutritional quality appear to have been done in recent decades.
Lentil nutrients
Lentils are high in protein (20% to 30%), minerals, vitamins like folate, and prebiotic carbohydrates. A 50 gram serving provides 3.7 to 4.5 mg iron, 2.2 to 2.7 mg zinc, and 22 to 34 micrograms selenium.
What the authors conclude
- They believe that lentils and kale have the potential to reduce calorie malnutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and chronic disease around the globe if properly researched, biofortified, and promoted.
- They suggest that increasing consumption of micronutrient-rich varieties and improving bioavailability of those micronutrients can greatly improve consumer health.
- They call for more research on the nutritional composition of kale and on how processing affects nutrient levels in these foods.
How it was done
Many people worldwide lack essential vitamins and minerals, while others eat too many calories and become obese. The authors wanted to see whether lentils and kale, eaten together, could help with both problems.
The authors reviewed existing research on lentils and kale, including their nutrient contents, prebiotic carbohydrates, and effects on health. They also looked at how these crops are grown and used around the world.
What it can’t tell you
- This is a review of existing research, not a new study. It cannot show cause and effect between eating kale or lentils and specific health outcomes.
- Much of the information on kale is based on old varieties, very small sample sizes, and missing nutrients, so the full picture of kale's nutritional value is not yet known.
- The authors note that no studies of kale nutritional quality appear to have been carried out in the last few decades, so current knowledge is limited.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Clemson University, USA; China Agricultural University, China
The paper
- Title
- Lentil and Kale: Complementary Nutrient-Rich Whole Food Sources to Combat Micronutrient and Calorie Malnutrition
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Migliozzi M, Thavarajah D, Thavarajah P, Smith P (2015). Lentil and Kale: Complementary Nutrient-Rich Whole Food Sources to Combat Micronutrient and Calorie Malnutrition. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu7115471Free full textPubMed 26569296DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error