Watercress and its miraculous healing properties

Watercress has excellent effects in preventing cancer, especially cervical cancer and breast cancer in women.

With such health benefits, Hippocrates (the father of modern medicine) built his hospital near a stream on a land full of watercress and he took advantage of this green resource to treat diseases. Today we know that watercress is a vegetable that is good for the body.

First of all, it has the effect of appetizer, tonic, stimulates digestion, provides minerals for the body, prevents anemia, prevents scurvy, purifies blood, diuretic, reduces blood sugar, treats cough. It also makes you sweat, treats worms and detoxifies nicotine.

1. Anti-cancer:

The anti-cancer benefits of watercress are attributed to its ability to increase blood antioxidant levels and protect DNA against damage caused by toxic substances.

Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that watercress may reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men, colon cancer, cervical cancer, and breast cancer in women, and may prevent the spread (metastasis) of cancer cells to other organs.

This mechanism is achieved thanks to glucosinolates, a phytochemical found in watercress. When we chew them in the mouth, this substance will be hydrolyzed to produce isothiocynates - active substances with strong anti-cancer effects.

Watercress is also a particularly rich source of nutrients with the active ingredient nasturtiin, a precursor of phennethyl isothiocyanate.

According to a recent study published in The British Journal of Nutrition (UK), eating about 100g of watercress every day can prevent breast cancer as well as reduce the risk of cancer in general. According to Dr. Nicholas Perricone, watercress contains more vitamins, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and potassium than broccoli, apples and tomatoes.
Men and women in their 60s, half of whom were smokers, took part in the study by eating about 100g of watercress every day in addition to their normal diet for eight weeks.

The results showed a reduction in blood cell DNA damage (DNA damage in blood cells is an indicator of cancer risk). In addition, the high vitamin C content in watercress leaves further increased the anti-cancer effect.

At the same time, the active ingredients in watercress also cause apoptosis (killing cancer cells). Similarly, crude watercress extract is also a "bodyguard" for prostate and colon cancer cells by preventing the metastasis of malignant cells.

Isothiocyanate compounds from watercress inhibit the activity of metalloproteinase-9 (an enzyme that can promote the growth of tumors), thereby helping to prevent the invasion of cancer cells, especially breast cancer.

2. Good for eyes, prevents cardiovascular disease

The carotenoids in watercress provide a lot of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are powerful antioxidants that are especially beneficial for the eyes and heart. One cup of watercress contains 1900 mg of lutein and zeaxanthin.

Diets rich in lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the risk of macular degeneration, an age-related disease that can cause vision loss and blindness. For the cardiovascular system, people with high blood levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are less likely to develop atherosclerosis and prevent high blood cholesterol.

3. Used to treat skin diseases

Eczema, scabies, ringworm, hair loss, scalp diseases, wounds, boils, acne, ulcers, toothache, gingivitis. Can be used fresh as salad, or crushed to get the juice to drink, or used as a rub.

4. Has the effect of clearing blood and cooling the body

Summer heat, tired, sneezing, use watercress, a handful (60g), wash, knead or crush, add water, filter and mix with sugar to drink.

5. Treat worms, detoxify, diuretic

Use fresh crushed watercress to get the juice to drink, or use a handful of watercress, 3 onions, 2 radishes in 1 liter of water, boil to get the juice to drink once a day between meals.

Note: Watercress is safe for most people, but if eaten in large quantities (>100g/time) and for a long time, it can cause stomach pain or kidney damage. When using watercress in daily meals, wash it thoroughly and soak it in salt water to avoid infection with worms and parasites./.

According to SKDS