Eliminates carcinogens
The study shows that the extract of Watercress helps to detoxify the environmental toxicants and carcinogens which are found in the cigarette and also provides a negative impact on the health. Smokers are at high chances for getting lung cancer. The intake of Watercress extract prevents the smokers from developing the cancer and acts a great cancer fighting tool. The trial shows that the extract of Watercress reduced the activation of nicotin by about 7.7 percent. (1)
Prevent breast cancer
The compound found in Watercress interferes in the protein function “Hypoxia Inducible Factor” which plays a vital role in the development of cancer. The research shows that the intake of Watercress interrupts the pathway which is associated with the cancer development. The study conducted on breast cancer patients shows that with an intake of 80 grams of Watercress, it assists to limit the growth of cancer in women.
The study shows that the phytochemical compound found in Watercress enhances the defense power and also protects the cells. Watercress possess high amount of Vitamin C that helps to lower the oxidative stress caused due to cancer. (2)
Colorectal cancer
The studies have provided the mix results but many have made conclusions that the intake of folate in the regular basis helps to prevent the colorectal cancer. It was seen when the folate was intake for more than 15 years.
Thyroid ailments
Watercress belongs to the family brassica that provides the beneficial and positive effect on maintaining the thyroid health. Watercress helps to decrease the production of thyroid hormones and considered more beneficial when consumed raw. In order to maintain the nutritional value, Watercress should be steamed lightly.
Prevent cardiovascular conditions
Along with the nutrients, Watercress possesses secondary metabolites that help to reduce the chances of chronic diseases. The plants such as Watercress help to reduce LDL cholesterol that helps to reduce the chances of cardiovascular conditions such as chronic heart disease and arteriosclerosis. Watercress also possesses Vitamin C which acts as an antioxidant and reduces damage of heart tissue which are the cause of oxidative stress. Vitamin C plays an active role in the embryonic cells process that develops into cardiac mycocytes and improves heart health.
Strong bones
Watercress is rich in calcium which helps to lower the chances of osteoporosis. Calcium helps to build and repair bones by increasing the osteoblasts production. The calcium is effective for the youthful as well as aging population and it helps to enhance the bone density. It possesses the good amount of folate which is a vital nutrient to maintain the bone density. The post-menopausal women could be benefited by including folate in the die as it prevents the osteoporosis conditions.
Calcium
The consumption of calcium through dietary intake helps to prevent the conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular, hypertension and metabolic syndrome. Watercress is helpful to adverse the cardiac effects. The addition of 500 mg to the daily diet is enough for women. The food sources are the healthiest way to maintain the adequate amount of calcium in the body. The studies show that the daily intake of Watercress helps to repair the damage cells and prevent some cancers, thyroid ailments and cardiovascular conditions.
Folate
Folate is a nutrient which has a vital role to maintain health and prevent birth defects. The alcohol consumption might affect the folate levels. The foods rich in folate such as Watercress help to prevent and treat some health conditions.
The folate intake also helps to reduce the stroke, depression, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cognitive decline, osteoporosis and neural defects in babies.
Antidepressant activity
Low level of folate is the cause of excess intake of alcohol or low dietary intake. The study shows that low level of folate increases the chances of depression. It also affects the neurotransmitter pathways of central nervous system that effects the production of serotonin. Watercress acts a vital dietary supplement which helps to reduce the chances of depression.
Prevent strokes
The study shows that the positive result was found due intake of fortified foods in the prevention of stroke. The folate rich foods such as Watercress could be consumed instead of fortified foods in the same level to obtain the health benefit and nutrients.
Healthy pregnancy
Folate is vital for embryo development and cellular division. In addition to that the intake of 400 mcg of folate on regular basis by the pregnant women lowers the chances of neural tube defects. Watercress has high amount of folate that helps to reduce the chances of neural tube deficiency while pregnant.
Cognitive health
Folate prevents the cognitive decline. The study shows that the intake of 800 mcg of folate on regular basis has a positive effect on cognition as well a verbal fluency. The addition of Watercress prevents the chances of cognitive decline as it is rich in folate.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has the ability to treat the physiological systems and prevent disease when it is consumed in high amount. Watercress is rich in Vitamin C more than in orange which helps to maintain the adequate amount of Vitamin C in blood levels that has various health benefits. It also helps to repair the brain tissues, lowers the chances of blood cell damage as well as common cold.
Brain health
Vitamin C helps to prevent the changes in cognition such as Alzheimer’s. It assist to lower the bleeding in the stoke occurrence. Those with traumatic head injury have the lower Vitamin C in the blood. The studies show that Watercress prevents the damage and also improves the brain function and injury. The high amount of Vitamin C assists in the neuron activities.
RBC
The study shows that the intake of Vitamin C with Vitamin E helps to lower the oxidative damage to the RBC (Red blood cells). The study is associated with the high intake of Watercress and the nutrients found in the Watercress are beneficial to the body.
Eye health
The study results that Vitamin C effectively reduces the chances of cataract development. Watercress is an excellent source of Vitamin C which is effective in preventing the cataract.
Cures common cold
Vitamin C treats the common cold effectively. The study conducted shows that the intake of Vitamin C rich food helps to lower the chances of common cold by almost 66 percent. Watercress is an excellent source of Vitamin C which helps to reduce the chances of catching cold.
Treats asthma
The study which was conducted on the children having asthma showed that the high amount of Vitamin C of 0.2 grams daily helps to provide relief from the pediatric asthma. It raises the forced expiratory volume (FEV). The dampness and mold exposure result to increase in 21% whereas no exposure result to 37% increases of FEV per second.
