This underrated vegetable has been ranked as one of the most nutrient-dense

Watercress is one of the foods that helps the body to deflate, as it helps eliminate toxins from it. To take advantage of its benefits, you must add it to your diet, such as using it in salads, soups or juices to help reduce fluid retention. Therefore, check out its benefits and a way of preparing it using watercress below.

Read more: How to plant watercress at home to have this vegetable all year round

Benefits that watercress provides you

• Prevent premature aging

Because it is a vegetable rich in vitamin C, which is important for the production and absorption of collagen, the Watercress helps maintain skin elasticity, preventing wrinkles and preventing the skin from aging. early.

• prevent diabetes

Watercress can help balance blood glucose levels, prevent insulin resistance and diabetes, due to its high fiber content. In addition, it helps control blood sugar in people who already have this disease.

• Strengthen the immune system

Watercress is rich in vitamins A, C and flavonoids, substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that strengthen the immune system, fight viruses, bacteria and fungi and help prevent and treat allergies, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis and others.

• Maintain eye health

Watercress has large amounts of zeaxanthin and lutein, which are carotenoids, and good for the eyes, as they help fight free radicals and protect the retina. Thus, these compounds are important for maintaining the health of the eyes and preventing diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.

• avoid bleeding

Vitamin K, which is abundantly present in watercress, is an essential nutrient that maintains normal blood clotting and prevents bleeding from injuries such as cuts or broken bones.

recipes with watercress

Watercress can be consumed raw, for example, in salads, pastas and juices, or cooked, in stews, soups, omelets and rice. It has a slightly spicy flavor and is usually found in supermarkets and fairs. See below how to make a watercress salad.

watercress salad

Ingredients

• ½ pack of watercress;
• 1 tomato;
• Half of 1 red onion;
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice;
• 1 tablespoon olive oil;
• Black pepper and salt to taste.

Method of preparation

1. First, wash the leaves well, dry and place in a container;
2. Then chop the onion into slices and mix with the watercress;
3. Take the tomato, cut it into cubes and throw it in the container along with the other ingredients;
4. Finally, season the salad with olive oil, pepper, lemon juice and salt, and it's ready to serve!