Have you ever asked yourself what is the healthiest food in the world?
With numerous superfood options, it can be quite hard to determine which is the number 1 food that can improve your overall well-being. Well, the researchers at William Paterson University wanted to know the answer for sure!
They tested about 41 types of veggies and fruits by examining their content and comparing them to each other, and they found out that the healthiest food in the world is in fact watercress!
If you want to know more about watercress and its health benefits, stay tuned!
What Is Watercress?
Watercress is a leafy plant that belongs to the Brassicas, which also include veggies like broccoli, cabbage, and mustard. It has small, rounded, dark green leaves with tender stems.
It is often mistaken for garden cress as these two have a similar appearance. However, garden cress has smaller leaves and shorter stems compared to watercress. Plus, their flavor is completely different!
Watercress has a distinct peppery and slightly tangy flavor like mustard, while garden cress has a flavor that resembles radishes.
Watercress is often found growing in or near fresh, flowing water, such as springs, streams, and ditches. Still, it can be easily grown in a pot at home. If you want to try and grow it, make sure to keep the soil consistently moist and put it in a place with partial shade – a balcony would be ideal.
Now, you can use it whenever you want to make salads, soups, and sandwiches, or even as garnish. You can also use watercress to make your own fermented plant juice!
What Actually Makes Watercress Healthy?
Healthy foods are packed with nutrients that can improve bones and muscles, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron – and a significant amount of these can be found in watercress.
About 100 grams of watercress can provide most of the daily requirements of Vitamin C, which ultimately means that this herb has far more Vitamin C than lemons and oranges.
It also contains vitamin K, which can help prevent damage in the cells of the brain. Its essential oils have a bitter flavor but can make watercress a natural cough suppressant and improve digestion
Additionally, antioxidants found in watercress prevent DNA damage and reduce risk of cancer. Researchers have explained that it also has detoxifying properties and can be used for cleansing the blood.
Don’t Eat Too Much Of It!
Even if it is a healthy food, eating too much of it can cause serious health issues such as hypervitaminosis. Remember, 100 grams of watercress can cover your daily Vitamin C intake, so eating more than 100 grams can lead to abnormally high Vitamin C levels.
Additionally, their essential mustard oils can irritate your kidneys, stomach, and bladder. Therefore, it’s best to use watercress as a topping or a side dish. You can also add it to smoothies and teas!