3 reasons why watercress is the healthiest vegetable – Health News Center

Peppers, tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers, all over chopped mixed greens. Everything for a great salad. Right?

There may be an ingredient even better than salad that you’re missing out on, says BreAnn Erickson, RDN, a registered dietitian at the Digestive Health Institute in Shelton and Bridgeport.

She says watercress, recently named the healthiest vegetable by the CDC, offers many benefits you won’t want to miss out on.

Watercress – a type of cabbage that grows in water – is similar to arugula, but has a milder flavor. It is commonly used as a salad base, with a tenderness that makes it easy to stir-fry or add to sauces.

Here are three reasons to add more watercress to your diet.

1. It keeps you hydrated.

If reaching You Did It! The line on your motivational water bottle is starting to look fancy, you may need a new way to get extra water into your diet.

Enter: Shahi.

Like most leafy greens, watercress can be a great way to improve hydration, Erickson says. In general, fruits and vegetables add plenty of fluids to your diet. If you’re struggling to drink enough water each day, watercress may be the answer you’re looking for.

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2. It is an excellent source of vitamins.

Rich in nutrients, it includes the vitamin content of watercress.

It’s an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K, says Erickson. It can help with bone health, blood clotting, vision, and immune system health, to name just a few of its benefits.

But abundance of vitamin K comes with caution.

People taking blood thinners should be careful to add vitamin K-rich foods to their diet. Erickson warns that foods such as watercress, broccoli and asparagus can interfere with the effectiveness of these drugs.

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3. It can cause weight loss.

With all these nutrients and almost no calories, watercress can be a great addition to your weight loss program.

A cup of chopped watercress contains only four calories. For comparison, one cup of mixed greens has 71, notes Erickson. Even lettuce and spinach have twice as many calories as watercress.

Erickson recommends adding watercress to your regular salad or using it in sandwiches or wraps. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding it to a smoothie, soup, or pesto.