Eating vegetables is proven to have health benefits, but incorporating them into your daily diet can be difficult.
Watercress, a cruciferous vegetable, is considered one of the healthiest vegetables by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Serena Poon, a Los Angeles certified dietitian and celebrity longevity advisor, tells Fox that watercress contains “amazing levels” of vitamins K, A, C, and B, in addition to magnesium, calcium, and potassium. He told News Digital.
According to the CDC, this is the healthiest of all vegetables: “a source of nutrition”
This vegetable has many other benefits, including heart and skin health support, detoxification, hormonal balance, and cancer risk reduction.
Watercress looks like any other leafy vegetable, but it has a slightly peppery, peppery flavor. (St. Petersburg)
According to nutritionists, consuming just 1 to 2 cups of watercress a day can provide a “huge amount” of these health benefits.
“Remember, true health is about nourishing your body with a variety of foods that support you on every level, and watercress is a powerful ally on that journey,” she said.
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So what are some healthy and delicious ways to incorporate watercress into your diet?
1. Serve with salad
Poon first recommended enjoying watercress's tangy, slightly tangy flavor as a base for fresh salads.
An easy way to enjoy leafy greens, she suggested, is to toss them with olive oil, lemon juice, and a sprinkling of sea salt as a side or garnish, rather than as a whole salad.
Using watercress as a base for salads can add nutritional value to your meals. (St. Petersburg)
2. Make tea
Watercress tea can be made by steeping a handful of watercress leaves in boiling water with ginger and a few slices of lemon.
Poon described the tea as a “mineral-rich drink with a mild, peppery taste” that is soothing, detoxifying and warming.
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“This is a great option if you want to boost hydration and immune support with a touch of herbs,” she said.
3. Blend the smoothie
For those who enjoy smoothies, Poon suggested adding watercress to “take the blend to a new level.”
Watercress adds “additional antioxidants” to an already super-healthy smoothie, Poon suggested. (St. Petersburg)
The watercress adds a touch of peppery spice, which balances out the sweetness of the fruit and provides an “added dose of antioxidants,” she said.
4. Stir the soup
Watercress can also be made into a nutritious soup.
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Mixing fresh watercress with vegetable stock, sautéed onions, potatoes or cauliflower creates a “creamy, comforting soup,” Poon notes.
The nutritionist suggested adding coconut milk for dairy-free creaminess and sprinkling seeds or herbs on top for added texture.
Adding wilted watercress to soups makes for a “comforting” dish, says a nutritionist. (St. Petersburg)
5. Make pesto
Replacing basil with watercress in a batch of pesto will greatly improve the nutrition while adding some new flavors.
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Poon instructed home chefs to make a “plant-based” pesto by mixing watercress with garlic, nuts (such as walnuts and pine nuts), olive oil, and nutritional yeast.
