Food trend alert: Arugula

Arugula is a peppery, distinctive-tasting green that originated in the Mediterranean region. It’s also known as rucola, salad rocket, and Italian cress. It is a lesser known cruciferous vegetable that provides many of the same benefits as other vegetables of the same family, which include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Along with its dark green leaves, the seeds, seed oil, and flowers are also edible.

Nutritionally, this peppery green is a star. In a whole cup (100g) of fresh arugula leaves, you’ll find just 25 calories, 3.65 grams of carbohydrates, and about 2.5 grams of protein, and 1.6 grams of dietary fibre. Arugula also contains an impressive amount of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, folate. Talking about minerals, you’ll get plenty of calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron from Arugula.

If its peppery punch and nutrient profile aren’t enough to send you to the grocery store, perhaps these amazing health benefits will :-

Cancer Fighting Powerfood
Arugula is a vegetable that is high in fibre and antioxidants. It is also rich in glucosinolates, a compound that helps to reduce the risk of developing lung, prostate, breast and pancreatic cancer.

Good for Bone Health
Vitamin K is needed for bone health; it is needed for the absorption of calcium into the bones and teeth. Half cup of arugula contains 10.9 micrograms of vitamin K. Three cups of arugula daily will supply you with 100 percent of your body’s need of vitamin K. It also contains eight times more calcium than iceberg lettuce.

Has an Anti-ageing effect
Not only will greens help you live better, but they may also add a few more years to your life. Recent scientific studies have found that eating fiber-rich foods may reduce the mortality rate by 17 to 19 percent. With loads of longevity-boosting nutrients like omega-3s, antioxidants, Vitamin C, arugula is one of the tastiest and healthiest ways to boost longevity.

Cleanses and detoxifies the body
Thanks to vitamin C, chlorophyll, and antioxidants, arugula can help rid your body of toxins. Arugula is very high in chlorophyll and can help prevent cellular DNA damage and liver damage arising from aflatoxins, the carcinogen present in some tree nuts. In addition to this, it neutralises heavy metals, harsh chemicals, and pesticides that enter your system via food.

Helps in weight management
People who eat a lot of Arugulas are more likely to keep their weight in check and less likely to gain more. Wondering how? It’s because arugula is a low-calorie vegetable – it only has about 25 calories/ 100 g. In fact, this dark green leaf ranks. Most importantly, since it is fibre rich and has very few carbohydrates (3.7 g), you don’t need to worry about weight gaining. In short, you should regularly fill your salads and meals with this peppery plant.

A Natural Aphrodisiac
Arugula has been used as an aphrodisiac since the first century. Research has shown us that the trace minerals and antioxidants in dark, leafy greens are essential for our sexual health. They help block environmental contaminants which are thought to be negative to our libido.

Over to You: Arugula is available year-round. You can incorporate arugula into your diet in a number of forms: raw, cooked, pesto, or soup. Add fresh arugula to omelettes, pizza, sandwiches or salads, and serve them sliced with some salt and pepper. Arugula is perishable, so keep it cool and moist. It will be more flavorful if you use it immediately or at least within two days of harvest.