Watercress

Are They Really Superfoods?

What’s Super About Superfoods? 

Have you ever wondered why certain foods are called “superfoods” and if they really are better than other foods? Research shows that some foods truly are super healthy and stand out above the rest when it comes to health and healing. The Macmillan Dictionary defines “superfood” as “a food that is considered to be very good for your health and that may even help some medical conditions.”

Here are two top contenders:

Watercress

Watercress, like beet juice, has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure. It contains similar high levels of the same nutrients found in beets. Beet juice was shown to lower blood pressure in three hours when people drank an 8.5-ounce glass of beet juice. With the watercress study, participants lowered their diastolic blood pressure by an average of 3.7 mm Hg in just three days. In other words, rats who ate watercress had lower blood pressure levels than the rats using medication to treat high blood pressure.

Watercress is also rich in a specific glucosinolate known as gluconasturtiin, which converts to PEITC in the human body. In fact, it contains more PEITC than any other cruciferous veggie. This is significant for fighting cancer. A 2015 study found PEITC has the ability to stop new blood vessels from forming to feed tumors, so tumours can’t access blood supply and multiply.

Depression & Mental Fog Gone with Watercress

Depression & Mental Fog Gone with Watercress

Watercress was once considered by the Greeks and Romans to be a symbol of strong, influential people. And since the time of Hippocrates, it has been used as a remedy for various ailments. In the 1700s, Nicholas Culpeper (author of Culpeper’s Herbal) believed watercress could cleanse the blood.  But somewhere along the way, it fell from grace. Not that long ago watercress was only used as just a garnish on a plate and in tea sandwiches. But not anymore. It’s making a comeback. It’s a superfood star. Research on its health benefits abound. In fact it recently got a perfect score of 100 for all around high nutrients beating out even kale.

Look to folate, along with B6 and B12, which improve memory and cognitive function.  Watercress is rich in folate and folate has been found to reduce the risk of depression. A study at the Rush University on 954 people for 4.5 years showed that consumption of vegetables rich in folate, vitamin K, lutein, and beta-carotene was associated with slower cognitive decline. (1) L-Methylfolate is the only form of folate that crosses the blood-brain barrier.  It has a role in neurotransmitter synthesis, indirectly facilitating the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—three neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and other important functions. And, yes, you guessed it! Watercress is high in methylfolate. That is also true of other green veggies. Most fresh greens are sources of folate. They have between 50% and 100% of their folate in the active L-methylfolate form. Genesis Superfood Juice Powder has watercress juice powder as part of the delicious mix.

Hypothyroid and Weight Loss

Make it Watercress Juice!

An ancient green, watercress is said to have been a staple in the diet of Roman soldiers, which they used for energy and brain power. It is a part of the cruciferous vegetable family along with kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts.

Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used watercress to treat his patients. It was widely available until the 19th century and watercress sandwiches were a staple of the working class in England.

Thyroid Detox Soup

Thyroid Detox Soup

April “souped off” a size and healed her thyroid. She participated in my July Watercress Soup Diet where she lost 7 lb. and a whole size. This is the theme of the cover story for Woman’s World magazine this week. April was diagnosed with borderline hypothyroid. She believes the watercress soup diet program helped her thyroid. She gained energy and was able to work out like she hadn’t been able to before. This diet helped her when nothing else had helped her lose weight.

Watercress Fights Cancer

Little Known Benefits of Watercress

I’ve been studying the amazing benefits of watercress for several months now. It’s very exciting to share with you the research on how watercress fights cancer.