They both are aquatic plants that belong to the Brassicaceae family. Arugula has a fresh, tart, bitter taste; its leaves have smoother sides and a rounded top, while watercress has a peppery flavor, similar to mustard and wasabi, and is soft, mid-green leaves with an unbroken edge and an oval shape.
What is watercress classed as?
Watercress Is a Cruciferous Vegetable
Watercress is part of the cruciferous family of vegetables. A diet high in cruciferous vegetables may benefit heart health. A review of studies in over 500,000 individuals linked eating cruciferous vegetables to a 16% reduced risk of heart disease ( 18 ).
Is watercress better than rocket?
Rocket has more vitamin B9 than watercress. Vitamin B9 helps the body to form red blood cells. Rocket is a source of vitamin A, which is important for healthy skin. It is very rich in alpha-lipoic acid, which has been shown to lower blood sugar levels.
Does watercress taste like rocket?
Little used 10 years ago, rocket, as it is most commonly known, is one of the most popular salad greens today. Its dark leaves have a peppery taste similar to watercress. Rocket has been in existence since Roman times and is extremely popular in Italian cooking.
Can you eat raw watercress?
Yes, absolutely – in fact watercress is best eaten raw. When the rest of us would be snacking on a biscuit, watercress growers are often seen wandering the farm chewing on fresh, uncooked watercress, and my, what a healthy bunch they are! In Victorian times watercress was regarded as an essential staple.
Who should not eat watercress?
Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Children: Watercress is LIKELY UNSAFE for use as a medicine in children, especially in those younger than four years old. Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Don’t use watercress if you have stomach or intestinal ulcers. Kidney disease: Don’t use watercress if you have kidney disease.
What is another name for watercress?
watercress, (Nasturtium officinale), also called cress, perennial aquatic plant of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout North America. Watercress thrives in cool flowing streams, where it grows submerged, floating on the water, or spread over mud surfaces.
What are the side effects of eating watercress?
There are no known side effects of watercress at routine doses.
Can I eat watercress everyday?
You can eat watercress everyday and, as watercress is sold in all supermarkets, it’s easy to get your nutritional top-up! Watercress (nasturtium officinale) is a superfood; we already know that watercress is rich in vitamins, containing over 50 vital vitamins and minerals.
Which is healthier spinach or watercress?
Spinach is richer not only in vitamins but in minerals as well. Spinach has 15 times more iron, five times more zinc, and nearly four times more magnesium than watercress. Spinach is also richer in potassium, copper and contains higher levels of sodium.
Can I substitute arugula for watercress?
Arugula is probably the closest match you’ll find for watercress. Its flavor is similarly mild and peppery, and it’ll provide you with a similar nutritional boost. Nasturtium leaves.
Do you eat the stems of watercress?
The entire watercress plant is edible – leaves, stalks and even the flowers. Only the roots are best discarded as they don’t taste great! Everything else can be eaten raw or added to your favourite dish to add that classic peppery flavour.
How do you eat watercress?
A : Watercress is most commonly used in salads, smoothies, soups and sandwiches, however it can also be treated as a herb and used to flavour sauces and dressings. It is delicious wilted or stir fried and can be used in a similar way to spinach.
Should you keep watercress in the fridge?
To keep watercress fresh for up to 5 days, store it in the refrigerator in a deep bowl, upside-down with the stems submerged in cold water and the leafy tops covered with a plastic bag. Drain well before using. When a recipe calls for watercress tops, simply break the delicate leaves off the thick center stalks.
What does watercress do for the body?
Watercress is also rich in vitamin C, which supports your immune system, helps you heal from injuries, and supports healthy collagen production. Watercress is full of beta-carotene and other carotenoids, which are known for being potent antioxidants.
Do you have to wash watercress?
Always wash your watercress in cold water before eating, especially if it was touching the water. Immersing the cress in cold water also refreshes it and makes it come back to life, an important trick to have around if it was purchased or a bit wilted.
Is watercress good for hair loss?
Watercress is packed with Vitamin E which helps with hair growth by increasing oxygen and circulation to the scalp to make sure cells stay healthy. Vitamins C, K, and A are also good for promoting a healthy scalp and can lead to hair growth and healthy hair.
Does watercress affect thyroid?
Improved functioning of Thyroid Gland
Watercress is a member of the brassica family of cruciferous vegetable which has shown to have beneficial effects in thyroid health. Watercress like other brassicas work by reducing thyroid hormone production and are most effective when eaten raw.
Does watercress make you sleepy?
Watercress. Another key to good sleep: calcium. “Research shows that calcium-rich foods can aid in sleep, as it helps the brain to properly utilize tryptophan” and make melatonin, says Elkin. She suggests snacking on watercress, which has about 120 milligrams of calcium per 100 gram serving.
Where do you get watercress?
Watercress grows in shallow, cold running water that’s slightly alkaline. In areas where the water and soil are acidic, look for it downstream of old spring boxes or other concrete structures that raise the pH of the water.
Are there different types of watercress?
Fun Facts about Watercress:
There are three major groups of cress: watercress (Nasturtium officinale), garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and upland cress (Barbarea verna).