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Saturday 11 August 2018

Impressive Health Benefits of Watercress

Watercress is an often overlooked leafy green that packs a powerful nutrient punch. Its small, round leaves and edible stems have a peppery, slightly spicy flavour. It is part of the Brassicaceae family of vegetables, which also includes kale, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Once considered a weed, it was first cultivated in the UK in the early 1800s but is now grown in watery beds throughout the world.


Here are ten impressive health benefits of watercress.

1. Packed with Nutrients, Particularly Vitamin K

Watercress boasts many important vitamins and minerals, including over 100% of the RDI for vitamin K.

2. High Antioxidant Content May Lower Your Risk of Chronic Diseases
Watercress is extremely high in antioxidants, which may help prevent chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

3. Contains Compounds That May Prevent Certain Types of Cancer
Watercress contains potent anticancer compounds called isothiocyanates that have been shown to ward off several types of cancer.

4. Beneficial for Heart Health in Many Impressive Ways
Watercress has many potential benefits for heart health, including lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Diets high in cruciferous vegetables are linked to a lower risk of heart disease.

5. Mineral and Vitamin K Contents Protect Against Osteoporosis
Watercress contains many nutrients important for bone health, including over 100% of the RDI for vitamin K.

6. Boosts Immune Function Thanks to High Vitamin C Levels
Watercress is a good source of vitamin C, which promotes a healthy immune system and reduces your risk of infection.

7. Nutrient Density May Aid Weight Loss
Watercress is a highly nutritious vegetable that can help fill you up for very few calories, which may aid weight loss.

8. Dietary Nitrates May Enhance Athletic Performance
Watercress is a source of dietary nitrates, which have been linked to improved athletic performance. However, there are currently no studies on watercress that confirm these beneficial effects.

9. Rich in Carotenoids and Vitamin C, Which May Protect Eye Health
Watercress contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are essential for eye health. Watercress is also a good source of vitamin C, which may protect against cataracts.

10. Versatile Addition to Any Meal
Here are some easy ways to add watercress to your diet:
Sprinkle it on your salad.
Stir it into your soup near the end of cooking.
Use it to replace lettuce in a sandwich.
Turn it into pesto by blending it with garlic and olive oil.
Serve it with eggs.

Use it to top any dish.
Watercress is a versatile addition to your meal routine. Eat it in a salad, soup or sandwich or use it to garnish any dish.

The Bottom Line
Watercress is a powerhouse vegetable that packs several important nutrients but is extremely low in calories. It contains a plethora of antioxidants, which may lower your risk of heart disease and several types of cancer. It’s also a good source of minerals that protect your bones. Additionally, watercress makes a delicious addition to any meal and is a nice change from the usual lettuce or spinach. Though watercress is hardly one of the most popular vegetables, its nutrition profile makes it a stellar addition to your diet. 

The above words and picture taken from an article written by Melissa Groves RD.
Please see it in full with all relevant links here

Do you like watercress - do you use it in your recipes? 
Regular readers will know … there is a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, but please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

18 comments:

Phil Slade said...

Thanks for reminding us Jan. A simple home -made watercress soup is as good as many other soups and much better for us than tinned ones.

Anonymous said...

Good to know about the benefits. Egg and cress go well together.

Tina

Valerie-Jael said...

I love watercress!Hugs, Valerie

Tom said...

...something that I don't eat. I guess that I should.

Jo said...

So many benefits. Watercress can really perk up a meal with its peppery taste.

wisps of words said...

I think we might be eating some now, in the same way, as you would eat lettuce. Grown via aqua culture. :-) Although, watercress is probably smaller leaves.

WE said...

Thanks for sharing this helpful information

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I love learning a thing or two from you.

William Kendall said...

I can't recall hearing of it before.

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Boiled egg and watercress sandwich.

God bless.

DUTA said...

All the leafy green herbs (including watercress) are healthy and tasty, yet require a lot of washing as they are either with pesticides or with worms. The soil is not "sterile".

carol l mckenna said...

Greens always so good for you ~ great post!

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Elephant's Child said...

It is very rarely available here. Which is a shame, because I do love that peppery taste.

Karen said...

I've heard of watercress, but never tasted it! Thanks for the suggestion and info.

Pam said...

I like watercress.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I had no idea. In fact, I haven't had it for YEARS.

Sandra Cox said...

Sounds like powerhouse greens:)
Happy Sunday.

Magic Love Crow said...

Thank you Jan! Great post! Big Hugs!