Watercress Sprouting Seeds, 1Lb [Organic]

When considering a superfood to help to keep you healthy you will want to look at watercress sprouts as an option. This little food is full of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals to help you to keep your body healthy and to promote longevity. These can be used in a variety of ways and provide numerous benefits that would not have thought about before. These sprouts provide a number if benefits in a many different ways.

Used by Hippocrates, the father of medicine, Hippocrates had a hospital built next to a flowing stream where he would have unlimited access to watercress sprouts, which he used to treat the sick. Dating back to the 16th century, herbalist Culpepper used watercress as an effective way to cleanse the blood. During the 1800s, watercress was eaten by the poor in place of bread and became an essential part of the working class diet. Watercress has always been revered for its healing properties and nutritional value.

Benefits

The health benefits of watercress sprouts are numerous considering it size. This leafy greenery contains phytochemicals, which are disease prevention plant compounds. One of the most noted phytochemicals in watercress is glucosinolates. As with any form of raw vegetables, glucosinolates are best absorbed when not cooked, and since watercress is not usually cooked, it makes an excellent source of glucosinolates.

Watercress sprouts, when consumed regularly, have cancer-fighting potential. A 2007 study from American Journal of Clinical Nutrition determined that watercress can reduce cancer-related cellular damage due to its natural level of antioxidants and carotenoids.

Proven effective in weight loss, one cup of watercress contains 4 calories and zero fat, which makes it an ideal food to add bulk to meals without adding loads of additional calories. Vegetables such as watercress are highly recommended by The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to help with weight loss.

Vitamins

Watercress also contains high levels of antioxidants, even more so than apples, mazuna, or broccoli. One cup of watercress will provide 106% of the RDA for Vitamin K, a much-required vitamin for those with blood clotting issues. A cup of watercress sprouts will also provide 2% of daily vitamin E intake, 22% of vitamin A and 24% of vitamin C. Watercress is also an excellent source for magnesium, thiamin, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin B6.

Vitamin A

Watercress provides as much as 100 g of Vitamin A. It provides vitamin A via beta-carotene. Vitamin A, an essential fat-soluble nutrient is necessary for normal vision, embryonic development, growth of cells and for maintenance of the immune function.

Vitamin C

Watercress sprouts provide a rich source of Vitamin C, which is necessary for normal neurological function. It can also help to benefit cardiovascular health.

Folate

Folate, and other B vitamins are also present in watercress. Folate is involved in the synthesis, repair and function of the body's DNA and it can be used to protect against colorectal cancer. It is one of the most important components to a woman's diet during pregnancy.

Iron

Iron, a necessary vitamin for production of blood and the maintenance of various organisms within the body is present in watercress sprouts. It provides 2.2mg iron per 100g. This is about 13 percent of the recommended daily allowance for iron. Iron enables energy production and the transportation of oxygen throughout the body.

Potassium

The essential mineral potassium is present in watercress. In fact, it has one of the highest natural levels of potassium available. This mineral helps to regulate the blood pressure and nerve to muscle function. Those experiencing cramping often are deficient in potassium.

Calcium

Known for its importance of maintaining and building bone mass, calcium is an essential nutrient. Watercress contains about 170 mg per 100 g or 17 percent of the recommended daily allowance per 80g serving. Calcium does much more including contributing to nerve and muscle function, blood coagulation, release of the hormone insulin and maintenance of a normal blood pressure.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Providing access to omega-3 fatty acids is a significant benefit of watercress. Watercress is naturally low in fat. However, it contains polyunsaturated fat that the body needs to maintain overall health. Omega-3 fatty acids are a requirement for heart health, protecting cell membranes and in maintaining normal brain function.

How Watercress Sprouts Help Your Body

When consuming sprouts, which you can grow from sprouting seeds, you can see a significant improvement in your overall health and well being. The following are examples of how watercress sprouts aid in improving your health, broken down by location.

The eyes benefit from watercress sprouts because of the protective antioxidants called phytochemicals lutein and zeaxanthin found within it. In addition, you can improve your night vision by getting the Vitamin A and zinc found within these sprouts.

The skin is one of the most important defence tools for the body and watercress sprouts enable it to remain healthy. The Vitamins A and C found within watercress help to keep the skin healthy and young looking, not to mention smooth.

Maintaining a healthy liver can help keep you healthy because it helps to remove waste product and toxins from the body. Watercress sprouts aid in the liver's function because it contains glucosinolates. These phytochemicals can help to regulate and boost the liver's function. This enables the body to naturally detoxify itself using natural produced enzymes.

Your hair and nails need zinc, Vitamin A and iron to look good and to remain strong. Watercress provides all of these nutrients. It can help you to have healthy hair and strong, clear nails.

The bones benefit from watercress. Because these sprouts have calcium, magnesium, Vitamins A, C and K, as well as manganese, it may help to increase the strength of bones. In addition, it helps to maintain strong bones even as you age.

The iron, Vitamin B6 and folic acid found within these sprouts ensure the body can product healthy red and white blood cells. These blood cells help to fight off infection and enable the organs to function by supplying a good source of oxygen to them. In short, it works to increase the body's immune system function. Additionally, the Vitamin C located within watercress is helpful because it helps the body to pull more iron from non-meat foods, giving your body the protein it needs.

The immune system also benefits from watercress sprout consumption. By growing these sprouting seeds, the body will take in Vitamin B. This helps the body to build antibodies against disease and illness. Vitamins C and E provide the immune system with the ability to develop and protect specialist cells. These work to remove and fight off free radicals in the body. Free radicals can often cause heart disease and cancer. In fact, the glucosinolate compounds found within watercress work as a defence against carcinogens, which cause cancer. The Vitamin A in watercress also helps to encourage immune health.

Metabolism is something everyone knows about. It is the efficiency of the body to burn food for energy. Watercress can encourage a healthy metabolism and amp up energy levels. Watercress contains the nutrient iodine, which helps the thyroid to function properly. The thyroid controls the production of some of the most important hormones in the body. Some of these hormones regulate the metabolic rate. Vitamin B1 and magnesium, found within watercress, helps the body to release energy from food. Iron helps to deliver those nutrients throughout the body's cells so you have the energy you need.

It is clear to see the watercress, from those small sprouting seeds to the wonderfully flavoured sprouts, can affect the body in numerous ways. Beyond a doubt, this is one of the healthiest food options for you and it just happens to be easy to take in, too.

Phytochemicals in Watercress Sprouts

One of the things that watercress does is provide the body with some of the most important phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds found in some plants. Antioxidants are one type of these. They work as a protective measure throughout the body.

One of the highest concentrations of phytochemicals in watercress sprouts is glucosinolate derivatives. This includes PEITC and MEITCs, as well as hydroxycinnamic acids and carotenoids including beta carotene and lutein. These compounds are believed to be incredibly valuable in protecting against carcinogens. Carcinogens, which cause cancer, are commonly taken in through every action including breathing and consuming food. These toxins line the body's blood vessels and cells. With nutrients like PEITC and MEITCs, the body has the means of flushing out those carcinogens to keep them from developing into cancers. The higher concentration and amount of these compounds taken in, the more fighting power the body has.

Flavonoids and carotenoids are also powerful antioxidants. They work to flush out the cells of free radicals that can cause heart disease and lung conditions. They also work to remove those toxins that enter into the body can clog blood vessels and cells. Free radicals enter the body through its various processes including pollution, infection, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoke, and radiation exposure. The body naturally produces antioxidant enzymes, which work to counterbalance the free radicals. Yet, overproduction can lead to oxidative stress, which damages DNA, lipids and more. Without a way to sweep out free radicals, individuals are more prone to conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, chronic health conditions, cardiovascular disease, cancer and other conditions.

Watercress Sprouts for Vegetarians

Vegetarians consuming watercress sprouts will find it a particular good, nutritious option. Watercress sprouts have more calcium than leaf lettuce or spinach. It also has a great taste which can make going meatless far easier to do. These sprouts are a good source of fibre. It does contain a small level of protein as well, which can aid in the vegetarian diet. With Vitamin A, C and D, plus folic acid, calcium, iron and zinc, watercress sprouts are the ideal food for this type of diet.

Uses

Juice watercress sprouts to add it to other juices for its antioxidant benefits. Watercress sprouts can be eaten alone in salads or mixed with other leafy greens for enhanced flavour. Toss a handful of watercress on freshly made soup for a refreshing flavour boost, or substitute watercress in Asian meals.

Watercress is best consumed as fresh as possible. For those with digestive disorders, toss your watercress in a little vinegar and olive oil to improve digestion and absorption of nutrients.



* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.