What Is Watercress?
Watercress, also known as cress, is a green leafy vegetable that is low in calories and packs in a bunch of nutrients that can add some extra health benefits from its consumption. It can be a nice change from the usual lettuce or spinach and add a touch of extra fancy flair.
What Does Watercress Taste Like?
Consumed raw, it has a peppery taste that is similar to other related greens such as mustard and wasabi. But, after it is cooked, the peppery punch diminishes, leaving a delicious vegetable flavor that tastes good in soups, stir fries and stews.
Ways To Eat Watercress:
Add it to mixed greens in a salad
Serve it with eggs
Use it to top any dish
Make pesto by blending it with olive oil and garlic
Use it to replace lettuce in a sandwich
Stir it into your soup
Is Watercress A Lettuce?
It not a lettuce per se, but it is a cool season herb that is used primarily as a lettuce green. It is one of the oldest known consumed leaf vegetables and remains one of the most widely used greens in the world today.
Impressive Health Benefits Of Watercress
1. Packed with vitamins and nutrients including: vitamins A, C, K, Calcium and Magnesium. There are also small amounts of vitamin E, riboflavin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and copper.
2. Great source of antioxidants that help prevent various chronic diseases. Studies have linked the antioxidants in watercress to lower a risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
3. Watercress may help to lower cholesterol.
4. Helps protect against osteoporosis because of the mineral (calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus) and vitamin K components.
5. It is a good source of Vitamin C, which helps prevent the risk of infection and boosts your immune system.
Fun Fact: With beets, celery, carrots, lettuce, parsley, spinach and tomatoes, watercress is the eighth ingredient in the classic vegetable drink, V-8.
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