Arugula is a dark leafy green plant that is a member of the Cruciferous family like kale, cauliflower, and broccoli. Arugula originated in the Mediterranean region. Arugula is a popular salad vegetable that has a peppery taste, but it loses some of its peppery flavor when cooked.
Arugula Is Rich in Nutrition
This green vegetable is a nutrient-dense food that is high in fiber and phytochemicals that reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease. Arugula is low in calories, carbohydrate, sugar, and fat. It is rich in antioxidants, calcium, potassium and many vitamins and minerals.
Helps Improve Immune System
Arugula is full of vitamins and minerals that enhance the defenses of the body’s immune system. The body is stimulated to create white blood cells from the copper in arugula. Arugula improves the strength of the immune system number in several ways. The vitamin C in arugula is one of the best defenses for the body to seek out dangerous, inflammatory free radicals and eliminate them from the body before they can cause real damage. Arugula helps the body maintain good health by giving an extra push to the immune system.
Help with Weight Loss
Even though Arugula is nutritionally-dense, but it is low in calories. You could eat more calories and feel fuller with less food. Arugula is a great choice for a salad that has nutrients, unlike the crispy water like iceberg lettuce.
Help Digest Food Better
Arugula contains a high amount of fiber. Food high in fiber can help digest food quicker and prevent constipation. In addition, high fiber diets can reduce the risk of colon cancer and ulcerative colitis.
Helps Prevent Diabetes
Clinical research confirms that plant extracts taken from the arugula seeds help fight blood sugar fluctuations. Eating a lot of green vegetables is thought to be a natural diabetes treatment since it improves insulin responsiveness, and it is free of sugar and carbs. Arugula extract or oil is considered an effective prevention and treatment method for improving insulin response and reducing blood sugar levels. In addition, arugula is diuretic and acts to slow the absorption of sugar after eating in the stomach because it contains a high proportion of soluble fiber.
Help Protect Eyes
Arugula is an excellent source of vitamin A along with carotenoids, which is necessary for the prevention of macular degeneration and cataracts. Additionally, vitamin A deficiency could cause night blindness, and it is responsible for 250,000 to 500,000 children who become blind every year.
Reduces High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
ِArugula contains nitrates that prevent arteriosclerosis, which makes blood flow naturally without raising blood pressure. Also, studies indicate that arugula contributes to the reduction of harmful cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride. In addition, it raises the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.
May Help Fight Cancer
ِArugula contains sulfur-containing compounds, which could inhibit the activity of cancer-causing cells. Arugula also contains a chemical that could help inactivate cancer-causing chemicals, which protect cellular DNA from damage, induce cell death in cancerous cells, and prevent tumor blood vessel formation.
Promotes Healthy Bones
Arugula may help people heal faster from bone injuries since it is an excellent source of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps promote calcium absorption and facilitates the regeneration of muscles and blood clots.
Relieves ِArthritis Pain
Arugula contains special chemical compounds, which possess anti-inflammatory properties. They suppress the production of inflammatory mediators and reduce the aches and pains associated with chronic inflammation.
May Help Fight Liver Disease
The extract of the arugula plant may improve liver function and the performance of antioxidants. The seeds and leaves of arugula can be used to protect from liver toxins. It is, therefore, necessary to take watercress leaves regularly to prevent liver disease.
Help Improve the Brain Health of Babies
Arugula is a good source of folates, a classification which includes folic acid. Folates have been found to decrease occurrences of certain mental defects in newborns.
How to use it
Raw Arugula is delicious and has a peppery flavor. It can be used as a healthy add-on topping for, sandwiches and wraps. It can be served as a salad with nothing more than tomatoes, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. It also could be added to smoothies, avocado, cheese, butter, olive oil, and other salads.
Arugula loses some of its peppery flavor when cooked. Arugula gives the main dish a delicious flavor when it is added to it. It also could be added to pasta dishes, pizza, and other dishes. It is preferable not to cook it for a long time so as not to lose its nutritional value. It is best to eat arugula fresh to maintain its many nutritional benefits.
Caution
Arugula is generally safe for consumption by healthy people. If you have any disease please see your doctor before consuming arugula frequently to treat any disease because it might harm your health.
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