It’s no secret that dark leafy green vegetables are one of the best superfoods you can eat. However, if you tend to stick to the most popular types—think kale and spinach—you may be missing out on the unique benefits of another nutritional powerhouse: Swiss chard. Experts say that eating more of the leafy vegetable, which is a descendant of the beet family, has notable heart and gut benefits. However, there are many other crucial benefits to eating Swiss chard. Read on to learn nine surprising health perks of this little-known superfood.

1. Swiss chard helps with heart health.

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“Swiss chard is high in magnesium and potassium, which help regulate blood pressure by balancing sodium levels and relaxing blood vessels,” explains Wade Lightheart, a certified sports nutrition advisor and President of BIOptimizers. “Getting sufficient amounts of these minerals can support cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke.”