The Healthy Detoxifying Benefits of Arugula

With its spicy flavor, arugula adds a lot of zip to a salad. But that’s not all it’s up to! It’s known to be cleansing for the blood, skin, and liver.

One of it’s unique cleansing properties is to counteract the destructive effects of heavy metals, particularly in the liver.1 A member of the cruciferous vegetable family, it is rich in detoxifying antioxidants. It also sports an abundance of flavonoids, phytonutrients that are known to help prevent cholesterol from sticking to the arteries, lowering blood pressure, and quelling inflammation. One study found that it could also help in fighting gastrointestinal ulcers.2

St. Patty’s Arugula Spinach Detox Salad

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup arugula leaves
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons cilantro leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons mint leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons basil leaves, torn
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thinly sliced red chile or pinch of red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons toasted cashews, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
• Pinch of sesame seeds
• 1/2 avocado, sliced (optional)

Instructions

Toss together arugula, spinach, blueberries, shallots, and fresh herbs in medium bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, ginger, salt, red pepper, and olive oil. Pour dressing over greens. Sprinkle the cashews, pomegranate seeds, and sesame seeds the over top. Arrange the avocado slices on top, if using.

Notes

1 (Cure Liver Cancer Treatment, http://www.theimmune-system.com/curelivercancer/, July 2012; from http://foodfacts.mercola.com/arugula.html accessed 3/12/16)

2 (http://foodfacts.mercola.com/arugula.html accessed 3/12/16)