Black kale, or cavolo nero, is a green leafy vegetable that is starting to gain popularity outside of Tuscany, Italy, where it has been used for years as a tasty and healthy ingredient in salads, gratins and soups. Here's a lowdown of the purported nutritional and health benefits of cavolo nero:

Numerous studies suggest that foods rich in isothiocyanates may help prevent cancer and even suppress the growth of tumors. Isothiocyanates' anti-cancer effects have been attributed to their ability to eliminate potential carcinogens from the body, reduce DNA damage, and facilitate the apoptosis (self-destruction) of cancerous cells.

Most of the studies related to the anti-carcinogenic properties of isothiocyanates have focused on colon cancer and breast cancer, but there's also evidence that diets rich in glucosinolates may also help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer.