Watercress: One of the Top 10 Detox Foods

Watercress is high in beta-carotene, Vitamins A, B1 and B6, C, E and K. It also contains abundant Iodine, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and Quercetin. It can be eaten in salads, soups, and sandwiches. The peppery little green leaves have a diuretic (elevated the body urine rates) effect that helps move things through your system. And cress is rich in minerals too. Watercress is easy to eat, and one of the healthiest foods around.

Quercetin is a flavonoid which is shown to reduce inflammation and is natural anti-histamine. Watercress is good for people with breathing and lung problems including allergies and asthma. It is also reported to be good for cancer, heart conditions, eczema, weight loss, parasites, circulation, kidney problems and lack of energy. The British Journal of Cancer reports "when treated with a combination of Quercetin and ultrasound at 20 KHz for 1 minute duration, skin and prostate cancers show a 90% mortality within 48 hours with no visible mortality of normal cells".

The Watercress Alliance conducted a study from the University of Ulster. They found that watercress contains compounds that help prevent damage to the DNA in white blood cells, an important trigger in the development of cancer.