The inexperienced vegetable ranked ‘world’s healthiest meals’ in new examine

It isn’t any secret that consuming loads of fruit and vegetables is a key a part of sustaining a wholesome way of life.

However, new analysis has proven that one vegetable specifically may very well be extra useful than others.

A examine printed within the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention journal, Preventing Chronic Disease, has named watercress as one of many healthiest greens you’ll be able to eat.

A group from William Paterson University in New Jersey ranked the plant as certainly one of 41 “powerhouse” meals.

Scores had been based mostly on how nutrient-dense every meals was, in addition to their potential to guard in opposition to continual illnesses equivalent to cancer and heart disease.

The well being advantages of watercress

Watercress is excessive in antioxidants and vitamins.

Registered dietician for MyFitnessPal, Stephanie Nelson, defined: “Watercress is high in vitamin K, vitamin C and vitamin A.

“It is also part of the cruciferous vegetable family, alongside broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

“Cruciferous vegetables have powerful antioxidants in them that help prevent cell damage that might cause cancer and other diseases.”

Her colleague, dietician Joanna Gregg added: “Watch out kale, there is a new super green on the scene.

“With strong antioxidant properties, watercress’s health benefits range from decreasing oxidant stress to reducing tissue damage related to the development of some cancers.

“This aromatic vegetable can be added to any salad, sandwich or smoothie for a powerful health promoting punch.”

This was backed by Dr Amy Lee, head of vitamin for Nucific. As reported in Yahoo, she mentioned: “Watercress has a lot of health benefits.

“It’s high in vitamin A and potassium, more so than your typical lettuce.”

What does analysis say?

Various scientific research have centered on the well being advantages of watercress.

One paper, printed within the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2007, discovered that consuming watercress every day had the potential to decrease the chance of most cancers.

As a part of a trial 60 adults ate 85 grams of uncooked watercress day by day for eight weeks.

This was discovered to scale back injury to DNA in all individuals – however much more so amongst people who smoke.

The examine concluded: “The results support the theory that consumption of watercress can be linked to a reduced risk of cancer via decreased damage to DNA and possible modulation of antioxidant status by increasing carotenoid concentrations.”

Other fruit and veggies outlined as “powerhouse” meals by the examine in Preventing Chronic Disease included:

• Chinese cabbage
• Kale
• Spinach
• Carrot
• Tomato
• Sweet potato
• Leek
• Lemon.