A battle is brewing, kale has been the 'it' vegetable of the last 2 or 3 years, but a new, more fiery contender is stepping up to take that green, leafy crown. Here are our 10 reasons why watercress beats kale:
Food and Drink on Female First
In a study, watercress achieved 100 out of a possible 100 on the nutrient density index where kale achieved only 49.This means watercress delivers more nutrients per calorie than kale.
It is packed with vitamin C, vitamin E & Iron.
Because it grows in beds sitting over ancient chalk aquifers in Hampshire and Dorset, the water that bubbles up is naturally rich in calcium which is passed on to the leafy green. There's more calcium in a serving of watercress than a glass of whole milk.
It's versatile. Not just for salads or egg sandwiches, watercress is great thrown into stir fries, pasta and smoothies.
It has real flavour. Watercress brings pepperiness to the plate thanks to the ITCs (that's isothiocyanates in case you didn't know!) that are produced as you chew it.
Those powerful little ITCs have been shown to have cancer preventative properties, repair the damage caused by exercise, stress and everyday living and actually boost the immune system too.
It's easier to chew. To get the most nutrients out of kale you need to eat the leaves raw and that makes for some serious jaw ache!
It's more hydrating. Not only packed full of nutrients, watercress also has a high water content (up to 90%) meaning you can hydrate as you eat!
It's been used as medicine to cure everything from toothache to hiccups and baldness!
Per 100g watercress contains 11 calories whereas kale has 49.
It's making waves with the healthy crowd and we're stocking up this weekend.
For inspo and new ways to try watercress check out @lovewatercress on Instagram and Facebook or go to www.watercress.co.uk