Blogs
Arugula (Rocket) Leaves : Health Benefits, Uses and more
Arugula is considered extremely healthy as compared to other popular leafy vegetables like spinach. Arugula acts like a host of health benefits. Arugula reduces the risk of cancer, improves eyesight and provides you with healthy bones. Other major reasons to consume arugula include strengthening the brain, improving metabolic functions, absorption of minerals in the body and boosting the immune system.
Arugula is a leafy green plant eaten as a salad. Arugula is known by different names in different countries, such as salad rocket, garden rocket, rucola, roquette and colwort etc. It belongs to the genus Eruca and the Brassicaceae family. It is closely related to radishes, kale and cauliflower and is slightly pungent and spicy in taste.
Also Read This :Why Eating in Banana Leaf is Good for Health
What is Arugula / Rocket
It is a leafy green plant that looks like radish, kale and cauliflower. Arugula is basically a spicy little leaf that appears bitter to some, while to others, it has a peppermint-mustard flavor.
Arugula as a host is known by different names in different parts of the world. Arugula is easily recognized by its small, white flowers. It is grown extensively for commercial purposes but wild versions of the plant can be found in different parts of the world. Arugula is mainly eaten in America, Europe and North Africa.
Also Read This :Best Mosquito Repellent Plants for Rainy Season
Nutritional Value of Arugula
Arugula contains high levels of folic acid and anti-oxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin K and vitamin C. They help you fight free radicals in your body. Apart from all these, it is rich in carotenoids and also contains important minerals like potassium, manganese, calcium. These minerals are good for your body and help you lead a healthy life.
Arugula is low in calories and rich in nutrients. So you can opt for this vegetable without worrying about gaining a lot of weight. The phytochemicals present in arugula help prevent cancer. Arugula has a lower oxalate content than other leafy vegetables and enables easier absorption of minerals by your body. One cup of nutritious arugula leaves contains 20-25 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, about 2.5 grams of protein and 1.5 grams of fiber. It also contains all kinds of essential vitamins. If we talk about mineral elements, then it contains all the nutrients like iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium, which our body needs. The more healthy its green leaves are, the more healthy are its flowers and oil.
Also Read This :The Secret of Somavalli Plant : and why it is Used as Somras?
Arugula’s Help in Fighting Cancer
Arugula leaves have the ability to reduce the risk of serious diseases like cancer. It is also rich in anti-oxidant properties, which provide relief from the problem of free radicals.
Benefits of Arugula for Eyes
Arugula is a well-known source of carotenoids, which when consumed in natural form help improve eyesight. The carotenoids found in it are natural pigments, which can also improve a person’s ability to see properly for a long time. By including arugula in your diet, you may be able to slow down this sign of aging by increasing the number of carotenoids. The omega-3 present in it also reduces the risk of cataract.
Also Read This :Which Plants are Ideal for Gifting on Every Occasion
Arugula is Good for Bones
Arugula is rich in vitamin-K, which is beneficial for bones. People suffering from osteoporosis can get a lot of relief from it and arugula prevents osteoporosis as well as gives health and strength to bones that weaken with age. Arugula contains Vitamin K which is essential for strong and healthy bones and delays the onset of osteoporosis.
Arugula Strengthens the Immune System
Arugula is packed with a host of vitamins and minerals that are sure to boost your immune system and protect against a variety of diseases. White blood cells are your body’s primary defense agent and protect against many diseases. In addition, arugula contains vitamin C which is the best defense for your body as it works against disease-causing inflammatory free radicals and eliminates them from the body.
Also Read This :Effective Plants that Keep Ants away from House
Is Arugula Good for Expecting Mothers?
Arugula contains folate, a classification containing folic acid, which has been shown to reduce the incidence of mental defects in newborns. Folates mainly help the body in the formation of new cells and hence, help as a protector against any anomaly
Arugula Helps Fight Diabetes
Arugula contains an anti-oxidant called alpha-lipoic acid that lowers glucose levels, enhances insulin sensitivity and prevents oxidative stress-induced changes in diabetic patients. It also helps in reducing peripheral and autonomic neuropathy in diabetes. Therefore, it would be good to include arugula in the diet of a diabetic.
Also Read This :Ten Unexpected Ways Marigold Flower Benefits Can Make Your Life Better
Helpful in Reducing Weight
Adding arugula to your diet is like adding any other low-calorie vitamin or nutrient-rich plant. And it is very effective in trying to lose weight. Meeting a wide range of nutritional needs, this salad balances your body system without changing your diet. Nowadays everyone is worried about their weight. Which is also a very difficult task. Arugula will help you make that difficult task easier. This vegetable is very low in calories and high in fiber. Due to which appetite is controlled after its consumption. Because of this, the weight does not increase.
Also Read This :Plants Care During the Holidays
Arugula Boosts Metabolism
One important health benefit of arugula is that it helps increase metabolism. Arugula contains Vitamin B-complex which affects the metabolic process in your body. Eight B-complex vitamins participate in and facilitate various cell activities such as energy production, fat synthesis, production of red blood cells, and also assist many other processes important to cell and metabolic health.
Also Read This :Easy way to Propagate Roses from Cuttings
Arugula helps in the Absorption of Minerals
Arugula helps in the absorption of minerals by our body. This is because arugula has very low oxalate levels compared to other leafy vegetables. The absorption of minerals in the body system is prevented by oxalates. So, arugula with its low oxalate content, helps in absorbing essential minerals like copper and iron which are very beneficial for your health.
Also Read This :Aloe Vera Amazing Health Benefits and Uses
Arugula Enhances Athletic Performance
Arugula is rich in nitrates that help improve oxygenation of the muscles during exercise. Regular dietary intake of nitrates facilitates exercise tolerance during endurance workouts. Nitrate consumption helps improve quality of life for people who find it difficult to perform activities of daily living. So arugula can help people with heart, respiratory or metabolic diseases.
Also Read This :Follow these Steps How To Grow Money Plant from Cuttings
