Watercress has been revered for its amazing health properties for centuries. It has been used to treat various ailments such as baldness, hiccups and freckles. Some of its health benefits are arguable though watercress is filled with fifteen vital vitamins and minerals. In latest study researchers believe that daily dose of watercress may help combat cancer.
In a small study researchers from Southampton University found that within hours of eating thirty z of watercress a day, had higher levels of cancer fighting molecules in the blood of a small group of breast cancer survivors. It was also revealed that compound phenethyl isothiocyanate that provides watercress its peppery taste, wedges the hypoxia-inducible factor protein that helps cancer tumours development.
Researchers also found that watercress turn off the indicators that cancer cells give off inquiring the body for more blood and oxygen. In previous research done in 2007, Irish researchers found that daily portion reduced DNA damage to blood cells that considered as a significant activator in the growth of cancer.
In addition to cancer preventive properties, watercress is packed with nutrients including, calcium, iron and vitamin A and C. It is a tremendous source of natural phytonutrients, substances in plants that have antioxidant properties such as isothiocyanates, flavonoids and carotenoids, explained dietician Katie Peck. Watercress is low in sodium and high in water, so it is very low in calories.
Watercress also contain foliate that helps in maintaining normal blood levels of homocysteine, the high levels of it is linked to rise in coronary heart disease and decrease the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida. Watercress also contains lutein, a carotenoid that is component of plants and it gives the deep orange, yellow and red colors in fruit and vegetables.