Watercress is a dark, leafy green grown in natural spring water. For the past few decades, watercress has been used as little more than a plate garnish but is now seeing resurgence in popularity as one of the next big superfoods. This presentation is about health benefits of watercress.

1. 12
Health Benefits of
Watercress

2. Watercress is a dark, leafy green grown in natural
spring water.
For the past few decades, watercress has been used as
little more than a plate garnish but is now seeing
resurgence in popularity as one of the next big
superfoods.

3. Watercress has plenty of health benefits. However,
due to its strong, pungent and bitter taste, it is never
used alone, but is always added to juices, salads or
other dishes as an ingredient, flavor or garnish.

4. Here are
12
Health Benefits of
Watercress

5. 1 Anti-Cancer Benefits

6. 1 Anti-Cancer Benefits
Cruciferous vegetables, such as watercress and broccoli, are
well known for containing glucosinolates, phytochemicals that
are hydrolyzed to produce isothiocyanates, which have been
studied for their anticancer effects.
Dietary intake of these compounds has been shown to counter
breast, lung, colorectal, head and neck, and prostate cancers.

7. 2 Cardiovascular Benefits

8. 2 Cardiovascular Benefits
Watercress contains vitamin C which works as an antioxidant
and help in reducing heart tissue damage caused by oxidative
stress.
Vitamin C is active in the process of embryonic cells developing
into cardiac myocyctes and improving heart health.

9. 3 Weight Loss Benefits

10. 3 Weight Loss Benefits
Even for individuals suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular
diseases, or hypertension, watercress diet may help lose
weight, maintain ideal weight, and help individuals feel satiated
for longer.
With dietary fiber and essential amino acids, watercress for
weight loss may help individuals stay full longer.

11. 4 Thyroid Health

12. 4 Thyroid Health
Watercress is a member of the brassica family of cruciferous
vegetable which has shown beneficial effect in thyroid health.
Watercress like other brassica’s may work by reducing thyroid
hormone production and are most beneficial when eaten raw.

13. 5 Healthy Bones

14. 5 Healthy Bones
Low intakes of vitamin K have been associated with a higher
risk for bone fracture. Adequate vitamin K consumption
improves bone health by acting as a modifier of bone matrix
proteins, improving calcium absorption and reducing urinary
excretion of calcium.
Eating just one cup of watercress would meet your daily need
for vitamin K.

15. 6 Anti-Anemic Effect

16. 6 Anti-Anemic Effect
Watercress is particularly helpful in treating different types of
anemia due to its high content in iron.
Iron is essential for the synthesis of hemoglobin, and folic acid,
which plays a key role in the maturation of red cells in the bone
marrow.

17. 7 Antidepressant Effect

18. 7 Antidepressant Effect
Folate works with the neurotransmitters pathways of the central
nervous system effecting production of such neurochemical
such as serotonin.
With depression affecting a significant percentage of the world
populations the addition of foods with high folate content such
as watercress is an important dietary supplement in reducing
risk of this chronic disease.

19. 8 Skin Care Benefits

20. 8 Skin Care Benefits
Consuming watercress in the form of salads or soups and as a
garnish on main courses may help to keep eczema and similar
skin conditions at bay.
As an antioxidant, watercress for acne and eczema helps to
promote better skin health, and it may even help reduce the risk
of certain types of skin cancer.

21. 9 Aphrodisiac Effect

22. 9 Aphrodisiac Effect
Several historical sources show that watercress has been used
for its aphrodisiac effect since the age of the ancient Romans
and Persians.
This could be due to its high zinc and iron content.

23. 10 Fights Common Cold

24. 10 Fights Common Cold
Vitamin C rich food is an effective remedy of common cold. A
study on this the immune protective ability of vitamin C shows
that consuming food rich in vitamin C may reduce the risk of
cold by 66 %.
Watercress is a good source of vitamin C and its intake may
help in reducing risk of cold.

25. 11 Hair Health Benefits

26. 11 Hair Health Benefits
Vital nutrients such as vitamins and minerals in watercress help
to promote scalp and hair health.
Applying watercress juice may also aid hair growth. Watercress
also improves hormonal balance and function, which, in turn,
promotes the growth of hair and is necessary for healthy skin.

27. 12 Helps Relieve Pediatric Asthma

28. 12 Helps Relieve Pediatric Asthma
A study on children with asthma’s showed results of
significantly increased forced expiratory volume expiratory
(FEV) with vitamin C of at least 0.2g daily.
Intake of food such as watercress may provide relief from
pediatric asthma.

29. 12
Health Benefits of
Watercress
For more information: 12 Health Benefits of Watercress - Selfcarer