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Watercress is an amazingly healthy leafy green vegetable that is part of the same cruciferous family of vegetables as kale, brussel sprouts, and cabbage. In fact, watercress is ranked first on the Center for Disease Control's Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables list. It is truly a superfood!
Watercress is jam packed with nutrients and has a spicy or slightly peppery taste. It is highly versatile and can be used in salads, soups, smoothies, sandwiches, sauces, and so much more. So, if you aren’t including this leafy green veggie in your meals yet, here are five reasons why you might want to start.
Full of vitamin K and other nutrients
Watercress is a nutrient rich food, according to Healthline and contains over 100 percent of the daily requirement of vitamin K. This vitamin is responsible for the health of your bones and helps with blood clotting. Watercress also contains vitamins A, E,and C, manganese, calcium, potassium, iron, as well as two grams of fiber. Watercress also contains a whopping 18 amino acids that your body needs to function.The next time you are in the mood for a nutrient-packed green smoothie, go ahead and one-up it by adding this spicy green veggie to the mix.
Rich in antioxidants
Watercress contains the antioxidants beta carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein that can protect against the damage to your cells from oxidative stress.on a cellular level.Oxidative stress can lead to chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Watercress out performs other cruciferous vegetables in its ability to neutralize free radicals which makes it a super healthy choice to add to your diet.
Promotes healthy glowing skin
Watercress is great for your skin,according to Medicine Net. That's because the nutrients in watercress helps to repair skin cells, and may even help protect your skin from the effects of the sun. Eating this healthy leafy vegetable could help keep your skin healthy and blemish free. With summer coming soon, this is the perfect time of the year to experiment with watercress recipes.
Heart healthy
The antioxidants in watercress help to lower your blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Healthline.Watercress can also help to lower your cholesterol. So, If you are looking for a super heart-healthy option that is low in sodium and saturated fats, think watercress. It is even healthier if you eat it raw..
Good for strong bones and teeth
Although dairy foods are generally the ones with the great rap, leafy greens are also a great source of calcium. Watercress, according to Medical News Today, can provide you with a healthy amount of calcium in each serving plus it is loaded with vitamin K which is an important nutrient for bone health. An added benefit of calcium is that it could help prevent bone related diseases like osteoporosis that causes brittle bones that fracture easily. How empowering is it that you can make your body stronger by consuming and fueling it with the right things!
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