Next time you reach for iceberg lettuce, grab the arugula instead. Not only does it make for a nutritious, tasty salad, it also brings good luck. By Team Viva
Arugula, also known as salad or garden rocket, is a nutritious green-leafy vegetable of Mediterranean origin.
Arugula has been grown as a vegetable since the Roman era. The Romans ate the leaves, used the seeds to flavour oil, and made aphrodisiac and medicinal compounds from the plant.
Arugula grows to about two to three feet in height with creamy-white colour edible flowers.
Though arugula has no proven ability to help aid in weight loss in and of itself, it remains a low calorie, nutrient rich food, and thus a great addition to any healthy diet.
100 gms of fresh arugula leaves provides 25 calories. Nonetheless, it has many vital phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can immensely benefit health. Arugula juice cleanses wounds and ulcers.
Tender, peppery arugula adds flavour to hot and cold dishes, and it counts towards your weekly recommended intake of dark green vegetable.
The level of spiciness intensifies as the plant gets older.
As arugula is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables, it has many of the same anti-cancer benefits as broccoli and cabbage. Research suggests that cruciferous vegetables are especially useful for warding off prostate, breast, cervical, colon and ovarian cancers and also helps in improving the immune system.
Use it as a healthy pizza topping and you’ll feel less guilty about the generous serving of mozzarella cheese you’re knocking down.
Arugula is a good source of calcium, helping prevent osteoporosis and is more readily absorbed than the calcium in spinach.
Arugula is also an excellent source of Vitamin K, which helps the body absorb calcium, protects against Alzheimer’s disease and helps maintain cardiovascular and bone health.
low levels of oxalates combined with a great variety of vitamins and minerals found in arugula make it great for bone health. One study of Vitamin K found that daily consumption of the vitamin led to decreased risk of bone fractures. Calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese and vitamin C are all considered good contributors to positive bone health.
The fibre in arugula helps promote digestive regularity, keeps your tummy happy and leaves you feeling full longer so you can resist other fatty foods. It also helps to control cholesterol, balance blood sugar and reduce the risk of heart diseases.
leafy greens such as spinach are rich in nutrients but also contain oxalate which can hamper the absorption of calcium. Therefore individuals who consume such vegetables may suffer from inadequate calcium absorption. Arugula, on the other hand, has a lower content of oxalate than other leafy greens.
The Vitamin C in arugula may help in the prevention of cataracts.
Arugula has been heralded as an arousal aid since the first century. Today, research reveals that the trace minerals and antioxidants packed into dark, leafy greens are essential for our sexual health because they help block absorption of some of the environmental contaminants thought to negatively impact our libido.
While not a superstar like sweet potatoes or kale when it comes to carotenoid content, arugula is a worthy player. Eating leafy greens like arugula, spinach, beet greens, Swiss chard and kale is a great way to make sure you get a healthy range of carotenoids.
