Watercress - healing properties. Where to buy watercress?

• Watercress is the he althiest vegetable in the world?
• Watercress - anti-cancer properties
• Watercress for avitaminosis
• Watercress as the elixir of youth
• Watercress - use in the kitchen

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Watercress is a plant whose healing properties have been known since antiquity. Modern scientists claim that it is the he althiest plant in the world, which additionally delays the aging process of the skin. Therefore, it must be used in the kitchen, for example, as did the chefs from Buckingham Palace, who prepared a dish with watercress for the wedding of Prince William and Princess Catherine. Check what properties watercress has, where you can buy it and what is its use in the kitchen.

Contents:

1. Watercress is the he althiest vegetable in the world?
2. Watercress - anti-cancer properties
3. Watercress - nutritional values ​​(per 100 g)
4. Watercress for avitaminosis
5. Watercress as the elixir of youth
6. Watercress - use in the kitchen

Watercress( Nasturtium officinale ), otherwisewatercress , is a plant belonging to the cabbage family, whosehealing propertieshave been known since antiquity.

In folk medicine it is used as a remedy for constipation, liver disorders and cough. Modern phytotherapy also recommends it to nervous people.

However, those who would like to check the medicinal properties of this plant must look for it in stores, because in Poland it is difficult to find it in its natural state.

Some say that it grows only in the western part of our country (as the name suggests - in meadows around springs and streams or in shallow waters). In addition, it is easy to confuse it with bitter watercress ( Cardamine amaraL.).

Where can you buywatercress? Both in he alth food stores and hypermarkets.

Watercress is the he althiest vegetable in the world?

Watercress is a treasury of the most important minerals, vitamins and other nutrients, making it the he althiest vegetable in the world, argue researchers from William Paterson University.

They analyzed 47 vegetables and fruits in terms of the content of 17 most important ingredients for human he alth and concluded that watercress is second to none.

It even outperformed such he althy vegetables as broccoli, kale and tomatoes.

It's good to know thatThe US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially ranked watercress at the top of its he althy food ranking.

Watercress - anti-cancer properties

Including watercress in your diet may prevent the development of cancer. This is the opinion of British scientists from the University of Ulster. All thanks to substances calledisothiocyanates , which are responsible for the characteristic taste of the cress.

According to researchers, isothiocyanates inhibit the multiplication of cancer cells in tumors, and also protect against tumor recurrence.

This will be useful to you

Watercress - nutritional values ​​(in 100 g)Energy value - 11 kcal Total protein - 2.30 g Fat - 0.10 g Carbohydrates - 1.29 g (including simple sugars 0.20) Fiber - 0.5 gVitaminsVitamin C - 43 mg Thiamine - 0.090 mg Riboflavin - 0.120 mg Niacin - 0.200 mg Vitamin B6 - 0.129 mg Folic acid - 9 µg Vitamin A - 3191 IU Vitamin E - 1 mg Vitamin K - 250.0 µgMineralsCalcium - 120 mg Iron - 0.20 mg Magnesium - 21 mg Phosphorus - 60 mg Potassium - 330 mg Sodium - 41 mg Zinc - 0.11 mgData Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference

Watercress for avitaminosis

Due to the fact that watercress contains the most important vitamins for human he alth, the extract of this plant (gliconasturcin) is given to people struggling with avitaminosis - deficiency or lack of certain vitamins. It is worth knowing that watercress contains more beta-carotene than the famous carrot. In addition, you can find vitamin C in it, which it has more than citrus - fruits that are generally considered to be the treasury of ascorbic acid. In turn, in terms of potassium content, it exceeds tomatoes, which are considered to be the best source of this element.

Watercress as the elixir of youth

Watercress slows down the aging process of the skin and even allows you to undo some skin changes, which has been scientifically proven. A group of women consumed 80 grams of watercress daily for 8 weeks and after the end of the experiment noticed a significant improvement in the condition of the skin - discoloration, redness and pores were reduced. There was also a marked reduction in wrinkles.

As the author of the research - Dr. Sarah Schenker explains - watercress owes its rejuvenating properties to beta-carotene, which fights free radicals that can contribute to the destruction of skin cells. Additionally, it contains two other antioxidants - vitamins C and E, or "vitamin of youth" - which also have a beneficial effect on the appearance and he alth of the skin.

Watercress - use in the kitchen

Watercress has a very expressive, slightlypeppery taste with a hint of sweetness. Therefore, it will emphasize the taste of creamy soups and vegetable pastes. It can also be an addition to fruit juices and smoothies.

Watercress is on the menu (miniature tarts with asparagus and watercress) prepared for the wedding of Prince William and Princess Catherine at Buckingham Palace.

About the authorMonika Majewska A journalist specializing in he alth issues, especially in the areas of medicine, he alth protection and he althy eating. Author of news, guides, interviews with experts and reports. Participant of the largest Polish National Medical Conference "Polish woman in Europe", organized by the "Journalists for He alth" Association, as well as specialist workshops and seminars for journalists organized by the Association.

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