4 Benefits of Arugula

4 Benefits of Arugula
Arugula is a spicy flavorsome herb, which is characterized with dark green leaves that may look similar to romaine. Arugula is oftentimes mistaken for lettuce. This veggie is cruciferous and belongs in the group where cauliflower and broccoli belongs. Arugula also referred as roquette or rocket offers great benefits.

Benefits of Arugula

• Good source of minerals: Adding this to your salad can make a difference. Just one cup of arugula may have thirty two milligrams of calcium, which is important for your bones. It also has seventy four grams of potassium, which is necessary for stabilizing your blood pressure. It also has trace minerals of iron and zinc. The same cup may give you .29 milligrams of iron, which is great in red blood cells, and .09 milligram of zinc, required for healing of wounds. Other trace minerals like copper, manganese and selenium are also found in arugula.


• Cruciferous vegetable: Arugula is used in salads like any other cruciferous vegetable such as cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. Cruciferous vegetable are considered very healthy since it has properties that can fight against cancer. The reason behind this is the glucosinolates, which is normally converted to isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates are said to boost immune function and play an important role in preventing cancer.


• Rich source of carotenoid: Kale and sweet potatoes are rich sources of carotenoid. In the case of Arugula, it is also a good source of carotenoid. Arugula has zeaxanthin, lutein and beta carotene, all are being studied for the antioxidant properties. Consuming leafy vegetables like arugula and spinach is one way to have carotenoids.


• Excellent vitamins: Arugula contains vitamin A, fat soluble vitamin that is required for vision and bone growth. One cup of arugula has two hundred eighty-five mcg of beta carotene. It also has vitamin K that is necessary for maintaining bone density.