If you have never tried watercress before, you’re not alone. This flowering aquatic plant is a member of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. It’s also packed with nutrients, including vitamins C, iron, nitrates, and potassium. Keep reading to learn more about this delicious vegetable.
Vitamin C
You’ve probably heard about watercress, a type of water flowering plant from the cabbage family. It’s high in Vitamin C and has been shown to increase your immunity. It also tastes good! The plant is easy to grow and is a good source of fiber and antioxidants.
A cup of watercress contains about 16% of your recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C, according to the National Institutes of Health. Ideally, you should get at least five servings of fruit and vegetables a day. This way, you’ll get the most benefit from each serving. In addition, watercress is a great source of folate, which helps prevent neural tube birth defects.
Watercress is also a good source of carotenoids and antioxidants. These compounds prevent damage from blue light, which can lead to age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Moreover, the high amount of Vitamin C found in this vegetable has been shown to reduce the risk of cataract formation. In addition, the watercress plant contains a high amount of dietary nitrate, a nutrient that helps reduce blood pressure.
Iron
Watercress is a plant that grows in bodies of water. It is a member of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. It is very rich in iron and is an excellent source of vitamin C. It can also be a powerful anti-oxidant. Iron is a key mineral for the body, and watercress contains a high level.
Watercress is also a good source of calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Calcium is one of the most important minerals in the body, and its deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. Potassium and magnesium are also necessary for the healthy functioning of bones and also help regulate blood pressure and salt levels.
Watercress also contains vitamin A, which is essential for the absorption of iron. One hundred grams of watercress contains over half of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin A. This helps to maintain a healthy immune system and supports the production of red blood cells.
Nitrates
Watercress is packed with dietary nitrates, which relax the blood vessels and increase nitric oxide levels in the blood. These compounds are thought to improve exercise performance and reduce resting blood pressure. In addition, they can reduce the need for oxygen during exercise. They may also help increase exercise tolerance.
Researchers conducted a study in which they gave 17 healthy adults nitrate supplements equal to the amount of nitrate-dense vegetables in the diet. This resulted in a reduction of diastolic blood pressure of an average of 3.7 mm Hg over three days. Although the study’s results are not conclusive, they do suggest that watercress may help protect against high blood pressure.
Recent studies have also shown that dietary nitrate can improve exercise performance. Two vegetables that are high in nitrates are watercress and red radish. The participants in the study were divided into two groups: those who consumed 100 g of watercress per day, while the other group was given a placebo. Participants performed an incremental treadmill exercise test controlled by a computer.
Potassium
Watercress is a vegetable that is high in potassium. This water-loving plant is a member of the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. It is a very popular vegetable, and you can find it in many dishes. Here are some of its health benefits: Potassium in watercress helps prevent and fight cancer, and it is good for your heart.
Its high amount of vitamin C helps maintain a healthy immune system. Just one cup of chopped raw watercress contains 16% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Increasing your vitamin C intake is especially important for women who are breastfeeding or who are trying to conceive. The National Institutes of Health recommends that women and men consume at least 90 milligrams of vitamin C each day.
Watercress also contains a good amount of Vitamin K. Compared to other sources of Vitamin K, watercress contains about four times the daily recommended amount. It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Folate
Watercress contains high amounts of folate, which is an important nutrient. It can help reduce the risk of depression, stroke, colorectal cancer, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. The plant also contains vitamin C, which acts as an antioxidant and protects heart tissue against damage caused by oxidative stress. This vitamin is particularly important for the formation of cardiac myocytes in embryonic cells.
Folate is essential to the growth and development of the foetus, so eating a lot of watercress during pregnancy can prevent many problems. Pregnant women who don’t consume enough folate may also develop anaemia, which is a serious problem. Watercress has also been used medicinally for centuries. It can calm certain symptoms of illness and is used in a variety of foods, including salads and soups.
Watercress is a good source of folate, which is an important nutrient for the nervous system. Its consumption reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. It also increases energy levels and reduces the risk of developing cancer. It has anti-oxidant properties and reduces age-related macular degeneration.
Low oxalate
Low oxalate watercress is a great addition to soups and salads. Watercress is delicious served raw, but it can also be eaten cooked. This vegetable is also a great source of fiber. Try it in salads, stir-fries, or even a side dish!
Watercress contains moderate amounts of oxalate, and it is a good source of calcium, which helps flush out oxalate from the body. However, people with a history of kidney stones should limit their intake of oxalate to low amounts, and those with high oxalate levels should be cautious when choosing leafy greens.
Oxalate can interfere with the absorption of minerals, including calcium, which is important for health. You can reduce your risk of kidney stones by eating foods that are low in oxalate, such as watercress, collard greens, Swiss chard, and beet greens.
High nutrient content
Watercress is a high-nutrient vegetable that is rich in vitamin C. This vitamin helps prevent weak bones and improves iron absorption. It also pairs well with beef. In addition to being high in vitamin C, watercress contains a number of other essential nutrients. These nutrients may protect the heart, promote strong bones, and lower cancer risk.
Watercress also has a low energy density compared to many popular foods. Because it is mostly water, watercress contains fewer than half a gram of carbohydrates per cup. Of these, about half of them are fiber and the rest are naturally occurring sugars. It also contains only 0.034 grams of fat per cup.
The phytonutrients in watercress are especially powerful and have been shown to prevent breast cancer. In fact, studies have shown that consuming as much as 80 grams of this green vegetable every day can reduce the risk of breast cancer. It also contains high amounts of vitamin C, which has been shown to reduce oxidative stress that can lead to cancer.
Health benefits
Watercress is packed with nutrients, including vitamins C and E, which protect the heart. Researchers have found that the antioxidant properties of watercress can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Watercress can also reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.
Watercress is an aquatic plant native to South America. It is believed to help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It also helps to increase energy and promote a healthier complexion. Its fiber content helps to regulate blood sugar levels and lowers blood pressure. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory.
Watercress contains many important nutrients, including vitamin K, calcium, iodine, folic acid, and iron. It is also a good source of vitamin C and manganese, two minerals that can help keep your blood pressure in check. In addition, watercress contains fiber that can lower cholesterol levels and improve lipid profiles. It can also reduce appetite and help control blood sugar levels.