Watercress: Everything You Need to Know

Watercress, or Nasturtium officinale, is a leafy green vegetable with a peppery taste and several nutritional benefits.

The plant grows near water and is a good source of polyphenols, which are compounds with antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage.

Watercress has been used in traditional medicine for cough, asthma, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

This article discusses the potential benefits of watercress, its nutrition, and safety.

Uses of Watercress

There are very few clinical trials studying the effects of watercress in humans.

Limited data suggest it may help prevent cancer or recurrent infections, or decrease cholesterol levels.

Here's the latest science behind these uses.

May Lower Cancer Risk

Though watercress has been shown to have anticancer activity in animal models, little data exists to support this effect in humans.

A study in adults who smoked suggested a special natural component (chemical) in watercress may have slowed the activation of a lung carcinogen (cancer-causing agent). This could decrease the risk of lung cancer.

However, more research is needed.

May Prevent Recurrent Infections

A combination of watercress and horseradish taken for 90 days was shown to decrease recurrent urinary tract infections in a clinical trial.

And a larger trial in adults showed a lower rate of respiratory infections in those taking a combination of watercress plus horseradish compared to those taking a placebo.

Remember that it's yet to be determined whether this combination would be similarly effective for children or older people since these groups have not been studied.

And it's impossible to know how effective watercress alone prevents these infections since it was combined with horseradish in these studies.

May Lower Cholesterol

A small study was done in people that were overweight and who had physical disabilities.

Those who took a standardized watercress extract for five weeks had lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered bad cholesterol) than those who took a placebo.

However, the watercress extract did not significantly affect total cholesterol or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (considered good cholesterol).

Larger trials are needed to determine the effect of watercress on cholesterol.

May Protect Against Exercise-Induced Stress

Another small study of healthy males suggests that antioxidants like beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol found in watercress may protect against unstable molecules known as free radicals formed during intense cardio exercise.

More robust research is undoubtedly needed to verify this result.

Nutrition

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the following nutrition is found in 1 cup, equal to 34 grams (g), of chopped raw watercress.

Most of watercress is pure water. There are also many vitamins and minerals in watercress.

One cup has 85 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K, close to the recommended daily allowance for adults.

It also contains antioxidants such as beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol.

How to Use Watercress

Watercress can easily be incorporated into your diet in many ways. For instance, some people enjoy it as the following:

• A raw ingredient in a salad
• Added to smoothies or soups
• Wilted with pasta or meats

To reduce the risk of foodborne illness, wash watercress in water right before eating or preparing it.

If the watercress is labeled "prewashed," there's no need to rewash it at home. However, refrigerate it within an hour or two.

Once washed or cut, store watercress in the refrigerator, where it will typically last for a few days.

To provide the greatest amount of antioxidants, watercress should be eaten raw or steamed. Boiling is not recommended because it can result in a loss of nutritional benefits.

Precautions

People who are at risk of developing kidney stones should be careful about eating watercress. That's because it's high in oxalates, which can cause kidney stones.

There is not enough safety data to know if large amounts of watercress are safe during pregnancy and lactation. Anecdotally it's thought to induce labor; check with your healthcare provider for more guidance.

Large amounts of watercress may slow down the metabolism of alcohol. Be cautious if you choose to imbibe (drink alcohol). It could increase the alcohol's effects on your body.

What Are the Side Effects of Watercress?

Although consuming watercress as part of a healthy diet is generally a wise choice, there are some potential side effects. These may be mild or severe.

Common Side Effects

Mild side effects of watercress include the following:

• Dry mouth
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea

Severe Side Effects

And aquatic plants like watercress may contain parasites that cause a disease called fascioliasis. Some parasitic symptoms include the following:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Stomach pain

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a parasitic infection.

Interactions

The following interactions may be possible with watercress:

Speak with your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have questions about your medication and how it may interact with supplements or foods like watercress.

Dosage: How Much Watercress Should I Take?

There isn't a specific recommended dose for watercress.

In clinical trials, a dose of 750 milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) of watercress extract daily has been studied in people who were overweight for its effects on cholesterol.

And 85 grams of raw watercress was used in a trial of exercise-induced stress.

Similar Supplements

Watercress has similar health benefits as related vegetables like the following:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Kale
• Bok choy
• Arugula
• Brussels sprouts
• Collard greens
• Radishes
  

Summary

Watercress is an aquatic plant considered a nutritional powerhouse because of its high levels of antioxidants and vitamins.

While it may be a healthy food choice to add to your diet, it's unlikely to have dramatic therapeutic effects. It's possible it could decrease the risk of cancer or recurrent infections, lower cholesterol, or the stress caused by exercise. But keep in mind that there are only a few small studies of watercress in humans. More research is needed before routinely recommending it for any of these uses.

Some people should be cautious before eating watercress, especially in large amounts. There's not enough data to know if it's safe for children in concentrated amounts, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. People at risk of developing kidney stones should talk with a healthcare provider before eating watercress regularly. And levels of caffeine, alcohol, and blood thinners can be altered if taken with watercress.