Consuming vegetables and fruits regularly is one of the healthy lifestyle recommended. Those who are consuming more fruits and vegetables are considered healthier compared to those who aren’t. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who are not creative enough when it comes to the choice of vegetables. What do you know about the benefits of gerger leaves? Well, some of you probably know nothing about what gerger leaves are.
What Are Gerger Leaves?
Gerger leaves is also well known as Arugula which scientific name is Eruca sativa from the family of Brassicaceae. So, gerger leaves has close relation with cauliflower and kale. Gerger leaves commonly consumed as vegetables salad mix, though some people may be mistaken it with lettuce but gerger leaves has completely different flavour, which is compared to lettuce, gerget leaves is a bit tangier but it is a perfect choice for fresh salad.
Nutritional Value of Gerger Leaves
Gerger leaves are quite high in vitamin C benefits along with vitamin A. It means, gerger leaves are excellent source of antioxidants. Moreover, this vegetable is also rich of calcium and fiber, just a perfect choice for those with healthy lifestyle goal. Find out more for the benefits of gerger leaves on the list below.
- Excellent Source of Antioxidant
As mentioned above, all the vitamin A benefits and vitamin C could be found in this tasty vegetable.
- Helps Fighting Cancer
Antioxidants are one of the potent ways to fight cancer. Gerger leaves contain potent antioxidants to help fighting cancer by eliminating the free radicals that cause oxidation stress in cells that could lead that the development of cancerous cells.
- Contains Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Besides super rich of antioxidants, gerger leaves also contain omega 3 fatty acids and indole 3 cabinol. They are also well known as anti-inflammatory properties due to their ability to manage and control inflammation.
- Immunity Booster
As rich of vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, certain minerals such as iron and magnesium make gerger leaves are excellent immunity booster.
- Maintains Cardiovascular Health
Looking for healthy vegetable for heart, gerger leaves are among the recommended ones. Its potassium content and low sodium content are good reasons why this vegetable is good for heart because they could help reducing the symptoms of high blood pressure.
- Protects the Artery
Vitamin K contained in gerger leaves is the main reason why this tasty vegetable could help protecting the artery. Vitamin K will help reducing the risk of the accumulation of blood clotting inside the artery.
- Promotes Healthy Bones
Both vitamin K and calcium content found in gerger leaves are excellent to promote healthy bones and prevent some health conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis.
- Great for Skin
All foods that are rich of antioxidants are great for skin. Consuming gerger leaves regularly is not only making you look younger longer but also preventing you from the premature aging caused by free radicals.
- Good for Eye Health
It is a common knowledge that all foods rich of vitamin A is good for eye health. Some studies said that consuming gerger leaves regularly could reduce the risk of cataract and able to improve eye sight.
- Excellent Vegetable during Pregnancy
Gerger leaves are rich of vitamins and minerals but at the same time are low in calories. During pregnancy mothers should consume healthy foods only and gerger leaves are among the recommended ones.
- Prevents Baby Born with Birth Defect
Speaking of recommended vegetable for pregnancy, gerger leaves contain folic acids that are able to prevent baby born with birth defect by optimizing the development of the fetus.
- Fights Depression
Those who have been diagnosed with depression may find it difficult to deal with the symptoms of depression but due to its omega 3 fatty acids content consuming gerger leaves regularly may help reducing the symptoms.
- Prevents Alzheimer and Dementia
One of the omega 3 fatty acids health benefits found in gerger leaves is also able to prevents or fights Alzheimer and dementia.
- Natural Body Detox
It is important to detoxify your body regularly; it is like refreshing your body to the new you. Gerger leaves are excellent and natural body detox with zero side effects but with optimal result.
- Excellent for Digestive System
As rich of fiber, surely gerger leaves is good for digestive system. Furthermore about the health benefits of fiber, it is also able to manage the level of cholesterol.
- Good for Weight Loss
As low in calories but high in vitamins and minerals, gerger leaves are excellent choice of vegetables for those who are currently in a weight loss diet program.
- Optimizes the Mineral Absorption
When your body cannot optimally absorb the minerals, some deficiencies may occur. Vitamin C content found in gerger leaves is excellent to help optimizing the mineral absorption.
Cautions of Gerger Leaves
Speaking of the cautions of gerger leaves, the problem doesn’t lies to the nutritional values of this amazingly healthy vegetable but to how this vegetable is cultivated.
- Since gerger leaves are tastier when consumed raw and fresh you should extra careful in washing the leaves because of the usage of herbicides and pesticides. That is why choosing the organic one is highly recommended.
- Gerger leaves contain oxalic acid that could cause problem in the kidney. However, it occurs only when you consume it in large amount in one time.
- If it is your first time in consuming gerger leaves, you should be careful with the possibility of allergic reaction.
If it is impossible for you to find the organic gerger leaves, you should make sure to wash them thoroughly using running water if you want to consume it raw and fresh. The crunchy texture will give you all the vibes in enjoying vegetable salad and at the same time enjoying all the benefits of gerger leaves for human health.