New study: This is the healthiest food in the world — and you’ve probably never eaten it
How nice it would be if there was a food that you knew: If I eat a certain amount of it, then my daily requirement for all the important nutrients is covered. Of course, many superfoods come close. However, researchers have now chosen a food that can top all these miracle foods – and with a total score of 100 can even beat Chinese cabbage, chard, beetroot, spinach and chicory.
This was examined in the study
In total, the researchers at William Paterson University in New Jersey, USA, examined 41 foods, focusing on the nutrient density of foods consisting of fruits and vegetables. Not only did it turn out that there is one food that contains more than all others, but also that a quantity of 100 calories is sufficient to cover the daily need for nutrients.
That’s what the researchers found out
According to researchers, the healthiest food in the world is, tadaaa: the watercress (also called watercress). By the way: This has nothing to do with the normal garden cress that you can buy in small cardboard boxes in the supermarket. The only difference between the two species is that garden cress has tiny leaves on very short, white stalks, while watercress has stalks about 15 centimeters long and leaves about 3 centimeters on average. Garden cress and watercress also differ in taste. Garden cress has a radish-like taste, while watercress has a mustard-like, pungent taste.
Watercress was already known as a remedy in ancient times (e.g. against scurvy) and was widespread in Europe. In nature, it prefers to grow in shady places and in clear, shallow water with a gentle current.
It’s in the watercress
Watercress contains an enormous number of highly concentrated nutrients. 100 grams of cress alone contain two thirds of the daily requirement of vitamin C. It therefore contains more vitamin C than oranges or lemons. In addition, the essential oils have an antitussive effect and soothe respiratory diseases – both points that make watercress a great help against colds. Just like the vitamin A it contains. According to the study, watercress also has a detoxifying and blood-cleansing effect on the body. And in addition to vitamin C, it also contains iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium, as well as many antioxidants. Ingredients that are important for the formation of bones and muscles on the one hand and protect against free radicals that could attack our cells on the other. There are also mustard oils and iodine – all together make watercress a true superfood.
Dishes with watercress
However, we did some more detailed research: In order to crack the 100 calories mentioned in the study, you would have to eat around 1 kilogram of watercress or watercress. That’s a fair amount. But as the saying goes – even small amounts can make a big difference. It is best to use watercress in several dishes every day, so the nutrients add up all by themselves. How good that watercress has such a great aroma and is therefore versatile, e.g. e.g.: