This is the healthiest food in the world and no one eats it

An inconspicuous plant tops the list of the healthiest foods among all fruits and vegetables in the world, according to an American study from William Paterson University in New Jersey, USA.

And if you’re expecting to turn to exotic and expensive products, like goji berries and acai or chia seeds and turmeric, you’re dead wrong. According to research, the healthiest food in the world is also very local and can be found in the Netherlands and Belgium. The best part: It’s cheap and versatile.

William Paterson University Collection Watercress It tops the list of “powerful fruits and vegetables.” With a perfect score of 100 in the study, arugula not only outperforms spinach (86.43) and endive (73.36), but also bok choy (91.99) and chard (89.27).

Power plant

In addition to a large amount of iron, calcium, and vitamin C, it also contains 14 other important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Vitamins A and C protect against infections and are beneficial for the immune system. The calcium, potassium and magnesium it contains are essential for healthy bone and muscle development – ​​and the vitamin K can prevent cell damage in the brain. In addition, the antioxidants in watercress protect against DNA damage and may reduce the risk of several types of cancer.

The study was published in the scientific journal Prevention of chronic diseases, compared 41 foods from different perspectives. They did this to create a “power” list. The research team calculated the “nutrient density” of each fruit or vegetable based on its daily requirements, assuming a diet containing 2,000 calories per day. The score is capped at 100 to ensure that a fruit or vegetable that provides a particularly high amount of a nutrient, for example, does not receive a disproportionately high overall score.

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moderation

Need more evidence? Did you know that 100 grams of watercress alone is enough to meet most of your daily vitamin C needs? This all sounds great, but as with everything, it’s never a good idea to have too much of a good thing. Green Miracle contains mustard essential oil. Although it does not seem dangerous, it can cause irritation of the bladder, kidneys, and stomach if used in excess. Therefore, it is better to include watercress in your diet regularly and in smaller quantities, rather than eating it rarely and then in large quantities. Think of it as a garnish or part of your meal rather than an entire salad consisting of arugula.

Interestingly, the toppers on the list are mainly green vegetables and leafy vegetables. The fruit examined was not particularly effective in the rankings. For example, lemons, like other citrus fruits, received only 18.72 points out of a possible 100 points. The Orange got 12.9 points. Many raspberry varieties also performed poorly. Strawberries scored 17.59 points, while blackberries scored only 11.39 points.

The fact that watercress is the healthiest food in the world has another benefit that may not be obvious at first glance. Because it is not uncommon for healthy food to be more expensive than unhealthy food. Therefore, eating a daily serving of fruits, vegetables, or exotic superfood products is an exception or simply impossible for many people. This problem does not occur with watercress. It’s cheap (2 euros) and the result is amazing.

Well, there are two more benefits if you’re still not completely convinced: This vegetable may be good for your eyes because it’s a natural source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health. And if you chop up some arugula for your salad, smoothie or sandwich, you’ll give your body a boost with anti-inflammatory properties.