Watercress is a plant that belongs to the “Brassicaceae” family, like mustard and turnip. It is generally consumed for its aroma but also for its therapeutic and aphrodisiac properties. It grows on the banks of streams and has small rounded leaves with a spicy and peppery taste. To get a good watercress juice benefits, you have to pick the plant before flowering to avoid a bitter aftertaste during preparation.
Composition
There are several varieties of watercress but what interests us here is watercress, more commonly known as watercress. Watercress is a plant rich in (1):
- Vitamins such as vitamins A, C, B
- Minerals like phosphorus, iron, magnesium, calcium. The level of calcium it contains is twice that of milk.
- Water (93%),
- Fiber (2%),
- Antioxidants,
- 2% carbohydrates,
- Proteins up to 1.5%
- Lipids up to 0.3%.
The benefits of watercress juice
Contributes to healthy bones
Due to its high content of calcium, magnesium and vitamins, consuming watercress juice regularly strengthens bones and skeleton.
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Against anemia
Watercress contains iron and folate, two elements essential for the production of hemoglobins. The vitamin C present in watercress accelerates the absorption of iron, making it an excellent weapon in the fight against certain forms of anemia.
Against coughs and flu-like conditions
Watercress juice is known for its expectorant effect due to the presence of thioglycosides. It is very effective in cases of chronic bronchitis.
The vitamin C it contains prevents and soothes cold and flu symptoms, and helps fight bacterial and viral infections.
It is better in case of flu, cough or cold to make a herbal tea instead of watercress juice. Healing assured.
Improves digestion
The fibers in watercress leaves stimulate the stomach and intestines. This facilitates digestion, allows a better balance of the intestinal flora and reduces constipation.
watercress-plants
Anti cancerous
Components present in watercress, namely “ isothiocyanates”, would limit the development of cancer and prevent the appearance of lung cancer in tobacco users (2).
Consuming watercress juice reduces damage to the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of lymphocytes.
Eye protection
Due to the presence of antioxidants, the eye is protected from oxidative stress, responsible for damage that may be irreversible.
Detoxifies the body
Consumption of watercress eliminates toxins whether through the urinary or intestinal tract because the latter is a laxative and a diuretic.
Treatment of dermatological and hair disorders
Watercress juice prevents and heals eczema. The vitamin C and A it contains helps take care of the skin by removing dead cells. Watercress also slows down the aging process of the skin.
Watercress juice also promotes hair growth. In the event of hair loss and body hair, watercress stimulates the hair bulb and promotes growth. To do this, use watercress for your shampoos (3).
Watercress juice recipes
Watercress juice is not very pleasant to consume due to its strong and bitter taste. It is nicer when combined with sweet tasting fruits and vegetables.
Watercress juice with mint
Ingredients
You will need:
- 1 apple
- ½ cucumber
- 1 handful of watercress
- Sprigs of mint
- 1 glass of mineral water
- 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
Preparation
- Wash the apple and cut them into slices after removing the core
- Wash and cut the cucumber
- And, wash the watercress and mint
- Put everything in the blender, add the water and apple cider vinegar and mix.
Your juice is ready.
Nutritional value
Watercress juice is very nutritious, but it is not easy to consume it on its own. Making cocktails with other foods allows you to consume it worry-free.
The apple contains multiple vitamins, antioxidants.
It is also composed of several active elements which cleanse the body and protect the immune system from toxic attacks.
Mint is a plant used in detox juices and slimming juices. This is because of its purifying power in your organs. Mint also brings a refreshing taste to the juice.
Cucumber is made up of water and helps your body release toxins through its diuretic action.
The watercress associated with apple, mint and cucumber which are detoxes makes your juice, a great detox juice.
Carrot watercress juice
Ingredients
You will need (4):
- 1 cup of fresh watercress leaves
- 2 carrots
- 1 cup of chopped parsley
- 1 whole lemon
- And, 1 finger of ginger
Preparation
Clean your ingredients and put in your machine for juice.
Nutritional value
Carrots add a sweet taste to your juice. But in addition, they provide beta carotene, vitamins and minerals.
Ginger boosts the activity of nutrients in the body. It also brings a slight spicy taste to your juice to make it more pleasant to drink.
Lemon is largely made up of vitamin C which is transformed in your body into an antioxidant. It is an antibacterial, a dewormer, an antifungal, a cleanser. It also inhibits the activity of cancer cells and prevents them from growing.
This watercress juice helps you, among other things, to fight against coughs because of its expectorant properties (a substance which expels the mucus which clogs the respiratory tract).
Being a diuretic, watercress juice helps eliminate toxins from the body and prevent digestive and urinary problems, and is also recommended for the treatment of generalized edema and urinary stones.
Thanks to the many virtues of lemon combined with those of watercress and other vegetables, you treat yourself to a real healthy juice.
Detox watercress juice
Ingredients
You will need:
- 1 cup of fresh watercress leaves
- 2 green apples
- 1 whole lemon (the juice)
Preparation
Wash your apples and watercress leaves then put them in a blender.
Add at the end the lemon juice collected beforehand.
Nutritional value
In herbal medicine, watercress helps the body to eliminate heavy metals which can be harmful to health. In addition, it treats ulcers and dental influxes. It brings energy and improves concentration by boosting memory.
Apple and lemon are also health foods recognized for their multiple virtues.
This detox juice will help you purify your body and provide it with the nutrients it needs to prevent disease.
Indications and contraindications
- It is advisable to eat 100g of fresh watercress (preferably) per week.
- Consumption of watercress is not recommended for pregnant women, especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.
To date, no adverse effects have been reported following the consumption of watercress.
- It’s best to avoid consuming wild watercress because it may contain a parasite called the fluke that can act on the liver (5).
- Dried watercress can be consumed as an herbal tea.
- Opt for organic watercress to benefit from its many benefits.
- Prefer watercress to its other varieties because of its nutritional value.
Conclusion
Little known, watercress is nevertheless a plant rich in nutrients. Whether it is for “detox” recipes, for traditional use, to cure coughs or even to cure dermatological conditions.
Its stimulating and purifying properties make it a juice appreciated by young and old. It also plays a fundamental role in the proper functioning of the immune system and is a real booster of good mood and well-being.