Watercress

Latin Name: Nasturtium officinale

Other Name: Yellowcress

Type: Herb

Watercress is an aquatic plant with small, round leaves that can be commonly found near spring and slow-moving stream, and it is belong to the cruciferous family of vegetables.

Watercress is high in nutritional value and low in calorie. It is a good source of various nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium and potassium. It is particularly rich in vitamin K which is an essential nutrient for healthy blood clotting and support strong bones by increasing calcium absorption and reducing urinary excretion of calcium. In addition, watercress contains dietary nitrates, which might be beneficial to maintain healthy blood pressure by decreasing inflammation and dilating blood vessels.

Just like other cruciferous vegetables, watercress is high in sulphoraphane, a sulphur-containing compound that has protective effets against cancers. Studies shown that sulphoraphane helps to suppress the growth and spread of the cancer cells, as well as neutralizing carcinogenic chemicals.