Individual Concerns

Turnip greens are among a small number of foods that contain measurable amounts of oxalates, naturally occurring substances found in plants, animals, and human beings. When oxalates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can crystallize and cause health problems. For this reason, individuals with already existing and untreated kidney or gallbladder problems may want to avoid eating turnip greens. Laboratory studies have shown that oxalates may also interfere with absorption of calcium from the body. Yet, in every peerreviewed research study weve seen, the ability of oxalates to lower calcium absorption is relatively small and definitely does not outweigh the ability of oxalatecontaining foods to contribute calcium to the meal plan. If your digestive tract is healthy, and you do a good job of chewing and relaxing while you enjoy your meals, you will get significant benefitsincluding absorption of calciumfrom calciumrich foods plant foods that also contain oxalic acid. Ordinarily, a healthcare practitioner would not discourage a person focused on ensuring that they are meeting their calcium requirements from eating these nutrientrich foods because of their oxalate content.