what does watercress do to your body and what is the huge importance of watercress to your health?
The aquatic vegetable known as watercress is prized for its tangy taste. It has a wide range of uses in food and is present in various water sources from Europe to Asia. Eating watercress is advantageous for both your health and the environment because it is an invasive plant in the United States.
Health Advantages
Watercress contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can have a significant positive impact on health. For instance, it contains a lot of vitamin A, commonly known as retinol, which is essential for maintaining the health of your retinas and good vision. Because vitamin A is essential for cell division, getting enough of it is also important for maintaining the health of your organs.
Vitamin C, which is abundant in watercress and supports healthy collagen synthesis as well as your immune system and wound healing, is also good for you.
Other health advantages of watercress include:
Reduce Cancer Risk
Beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which are considered to be strong antioxidants, are abundant in watercress. Carotenoids have been connected to a decrease in free radicals in the body, like the majority of antioxidants. As a result, there is less oxidative stress and a lower chance of cancer, cell damage, and other long-term conditions like arthritis.
better your heart health
Consuming watercress can benefit your heart's health. Carotenoids in particular are antioxidants that have been associated with reduced blood pressure, a lower chance of developing heart disease, and even a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes. Early research suggests that watercress may also improve heart health by lowering cholesterol.
Encourage bone health
Finally, watercress is a great source of calcium, potassium, and magnesium, three minerals vital for strong bones. The most prevalent mineral in your body is calcium. Lack of it can cause osteoporosis by gradually weakening your bones over time.
Magnesium and potassium have an indirect effect on bone health by influencing bone cell development. Getting enough of these minerals can lower your chance of developing osteoporosis and aging-related problems.
Nutrition
Potassium, one of the most vital minerals in the body, is abundant in watercress. Potassium aids in the regulation of your body's functions such as blood pressure, salt balance, heart rate, and even bone health.
Related
Furthermore a fantastic source of:
A vitamin
C vitamin
vitamin K
Potassium
Calcium
Beta-carotene
Carotenoids
Magnesium
Nutrition in a Serving
A serving of watercress that is half a cup contains:
2 calories
Less than 1 gram of protein
Less than 1 gram of fat
1 gram of carbohydrates
Less than 1 gram of fiber
Less than 1 gram of sugar
Things to Be Wary Of
Vitamin K is abundant in watercress. Many people find this to be totally acceptable. However, those taking the blood thinner Warfarin should exercise caution when consuming large amounts of watercress. Warfarin needs your body to have a somewhat steady level of vitamin K in order to work properly. A major source of the vitamin being added all of a sudden could interfere with the prescription.
Nitrates, which can become nitrites when exposed to bacteria, are also abundant in watercress. Stomach cancer risk has been associated with nitrates. To reduce the risk of bacterial infection, watercress juice or smoothies should either be drunk right once or chilled and consumed within a day.
