Arugula: health benefits and harms

Fresh greens should be present in the human diet. It has useful properties, is a natural source of many vitamins. Arugula belongs to one of the special varieties of greenery, which has already become quite popular in our country. Greens are known as mustard grass, rocket salad, "Eruka", "Indau." The popularity is due to the fact that more and more people begin to lead a healthy lifestyle, and it is impossible without adjusting the diet. Spicy grass is used for cooking, it is actively used for medical purposes and for the manufacture of cosmetics.

What is arugula and how does it look

An annual and biennial plant of the Cruciferous family grows in the Mediterranean countries and in other southern regions. Rocket is especially widespread in Italy. Spice in appearance resembles lettuce. The shape and color of the leaves depends on the variety. Leaves can be round with smooth edges or elongated with a wavy border. The height of the plants reaches about 30-60 cm. There are few inflorescences on the grass, they can be of different shades: white, purple, yellow.

Spice has a specific taste that not everyone will like. Taste is characterized by the taste of bitterness. Bitterness is concentrated in the young stems of seasoning, so the grass is already ripe enough. The taste of arugula is similar to a nut mixed with mustard.

The grass is added to various salads, sauces, soups, vegetable stew, it is decorated with sandwiches and snacks. In our country, the spice began to gain popularity due to the popularization of Italian cuisine, where arugula is often used.

Composition and calorie content

Spicy grass is quite low in calories. There are only 25–26 kcal per 100 grams of product. The composition of arugula is rich in vitamins and minerals:

• all B vitamins;
• vitamins C, E, A, K, PP;
• beta carotene;
• choline;
• proteins - 2.6 grams;
• carbohydrates - 2 grams;
• magnesium, iron, potassium, selenium, zinc, manganese.

In addition, the composition of the spices has a sufficient amount of fiber, water and ash substances.

Why arugula is useful

General benefit

In programs for weight loss arugula is given an honorable place. This is one of the plants that has a beneficial effect on the normalization of metabolism in the body. A sufficient amount of iodine and ascorbic acid helps to solve problems with the content of hemoglobin in the blood, remove harmful cholesterol. With regular use of medicinal herbs, the tone of the body increases.

Arugula helps improve digestion, helps prevent the formation of malignant neoplasms. Greens have expectorant, disinfectant and diuretic effects. With the help of a useful seasoning, you can get rid of many serious ailments.

Even in ancient Rome, this salad was considered a natural aphrodisiac, increased sexual desire, normalized the genitourinary system. Lettuce should be consumed by couples who want to conceive a child. Scientists have already proved the property of arugula to normalize the reproductive system of both sexes.

In ancient times, with the help of arugula they got rid of freckles and corns.With the help of spices, it was possible to cure some skin diseases, also the medicinal properties of the product contributed to the rapid healing of wounds.

If you use grass as a part of dishes every day, then you can make up for the body's daily need for vitamins and minerals. Flavonoids help strengthen the walls of blood vessels, make them elastic. Ascorbic acid strengthens the immune system, increases protective functions, makes it possible to withstand various colds. Regular use of arugula has a beneficial effect on the state of the nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.

For women

Daily use of lettuce will allow women to remain young and beautiful for a long time. The condition of hair, nails and skin improves. The skin becomes smooth and supple. The leaves of arugula have useful qualities, so they gently cleanse the body of harmful substances and toxins. The body of a woman receives all the necessary vitamins. Regular consumption of lettuce helps to get rid of extra pounds due to low calorie content and product properties. This does not affect the performance of the fairer sex. The use of spicy herbs is an excellent prevention of varicose veins and thrombophlebitis.

The substances that make up the salad can help get rid of warts, papillomas and pigmentation. Women are recommended to use arugula for cosmetic purposes. From it you can make various masks for the face, hair and body.

For men

For the body of representatives of a strong half of humanity, arugula will become a real helper in alopecia. Here, herbs must be consumed not only as a dietary supplement, but also used in the preparation of masks. Such masks will help get rid of premature baldness and dandruff. Spice perfectly helps men with problems in the genital area. The regular use of healthy spices will help normalize the functioning of the urinary system and get rid of impotence.

During pregnancy

It is very important for women who are waiting for the replenishment of the family to eat right, to fill the body's need for vitamins and elements. This is important for the normal development of the fetus. The benefits of arugula for pregnant women are explained by their rich and unique composition:

1. Vitamin A is responsible for the normal functioning of the reproductive system, when all organs develop correctly during the entire period of gestation.
2. Folic acid has a beneficial effect on the nervous system of the mother and the unborn child.
3. In women, the metabolism improves, the protective functions of the body increase, the blood vessels are cleaned.
4. With regular use of healthy herbs, you can get rid of edema, which affects most pregnant women.

Of course, during pregnancy should not be overly carried away by useful spices. This can cause an increase in the tone of the uterus, which is already a threat of miscarriage.

When breastfeeding

Greens are useful for nursing mothers in that it increases the amount of breast milk. You can include arugula in the diet 3-4 months after birth. The plant product is rich in fiber, and this is too coarse food for the baby’s fragile digestive system. Nursing mothers should gradually introduce a new product in the menu. If the child reacted well to the novelty of the diet, the allergy did not start, then the grass can be consumed daily, but not more than 50 grams per day.

For kids

Green fresh leaves of arugula are one of the safest foods for children. Children can be given green lettuce starting at about 1.5–2 years old. But you should not rush, as the plant can provoke the appearance of gases and bloating. In addition, you need to monitor the amount of product. Leaves in the children's menu are added to salads, as well as to pies.

Arugula favorably affects the children's body. With regular use, the appetite increases, the water-salt balance in the body normalizes.For children with diabetes, arugula will become an indispensable tool in lowering blood glucose levels.

Arugula oil: useful properties and application

A useful and healing product is produced from fresh spice leaves by cold pressing. In ancient times, oil was used by healers for quick healing of wounds, with its help it was possible to cure severe bruises and sprains. In addition, lettuce oil, thanks to its analgesic properties, helps get rid of headaches. Currently, oil is used as an important component in cosmetics, is a drug, and is also widely used in cooking.

Due to its rich and medicinal composition, oil helps to improve digestion and has a beneficial effect on the normal functioning of the stomach. Arugula oil is one of the best remedies with expectorant and diuretic effects. With it, you can strengthen the body’s immune system, lower blood sugar and normalize water-salt metabolism. The oil is very useful for strengthening hair follicles, therefore it is often used in cosmetic products. For men suffering from impotence, the product will help solve this problem.

Is arugula useful for weight loss

People suffering from obesity and overweight should carefully monitor their diet. It is necessary not only to eat right, but also to exercise. Only with a balanced diet can positive results be achieved. Arugula refers to a low-calorie product that is able to solve important issues when losing weight. With the regular use of useful herbs, metabolism is normalized, harmful toxins and excess fluid are eliminated from the body. This helps to quickly get rid of extra pounds.

Weight loss with arugula will be most effective if the spice is included in such dishes as salads, snacks, cocktails. Greens go well with meat dishes, helping the stomach quickly digest food and avoid the appearance of heaviness. During various diets, the body loses many useful vitamins and elements, and with the help of healthy herbs you can fill this deficiency. In addition, regular use of arugula helps reduce appetite. The inclusion of only healthy foods in the diet will make it possible to get rid of hated kilograms. It is also important that the menu contains a variety of products.

Arugula in medicine

Medicinal properties of plants are known since antiquity. The plant itself, as well as funds based on it, are used for the prevention and treatment of many ailments.

With diabetes

Useful arugula is recommended for people with diabetes in unlimited quantities. With the systematic use of medicinal herbs, the blood glucose level decreases, as well as insulin sensitivity. If there is arugula for a healthy person, then this will be a good preventive way to avoid the development of the disease in the future.

Important: the glycemic index of arugula is 15 units.

With pancreatitis

With such a serious disease, spice should be consumed in limited quantities. In the period of exacerbation of the disease, it is better to choose neutral products. A small amount of greenery will positively affect the body weakened by the disease. The product contains nickel and cobalt, which positively affect the pancreas.

With gastritis

Greens help get rid of many stomach problems. In America, experts have even invented an interesting way to treat stomach diseases with arugula. Salad leaves not only protect the walls of the stomach from the negative effects, but also strengthen them. The plant contains acids, so it is better to limit the use of the product for gastritis with high acidity.

With gout

Arugula leaves are indicated for use in some serious diseases. Among these pathologies is gout. The plant significantly improves all metabolic processes in the body, as well as water-salt metabolism, which prevents salt from accumulating in the joints. Healing grass will help get rid of edema, reduce pain in the joints. The regular use of a useful plant will only have a beneficial effect on the patient's body.

For the liver

Everyone who leads a healthy lifestyle prefers to include in the diet foods that positively affect all processes in the body. Some experts note that with serious liver diseases, the use of arugula can be harmful, therefore they do not advise eating this useful spice for cirrhosis, hepatitis - with such ailments, a hepatologist should be consulted.

Arugula in cosmetology

Tasty mustard grass is used not only in cooking, but also used for cosmetic purposes. It is often used to make masks for the face, hair, neck. Lettuce contains many substances that have a tonic, moisturizing and anti-aging effect on the skin. Using masks from arugula, you can get rid of irritation on the skin, blackheads, dandruff and boils.

For face

Using a face mask based on arugula, you can effectively deal with acne eruptions. Possessing bactericidal properties, the plant helps to eliminate the focus of the disease, and with it, acne also passes. If peeling, irritation appears on the skin of the face, then a mask with lettuce can also be a good helper. Green spice nourishes the skin, softens and removes irritation. Another useful characteristic of arugula is its whitening effect. With regular use of masks based on it, you can get rid of freckles and age spots.

Anti-aging mask
Required: 4 tbsp chopped arugula, 1 tbsp. cosmetic almond or regular olive oil.

Mix the two ingredients, knead thoroughly. Hold the mask on your face for about 10-15 minutes.

Moisturizing mask
Required: 2 tbsp chopped arugula, 2 tbsp. fat homemade cottage cheese, 2 tbsp. homemade sour cream.

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and grind with a spoon. Soak the composition on the face for 10-15 minutes and rinse.

For hair

The benefits of greenery are obvious to the scalp and hairline. An excellent cosmetic and therapeutic agent will be oil from arugula. This excellent hair loss remedy helps men with premature baldness. With regular use of oil, the weakened hair follicles are strengthened, and the blood supply to the scalp improves. It also has a beneficial effect on eyelashes and eyebrows. It is especially recommended to use oil for dry and brittle hair.

Arugula oil can be mixed with burdock, chamomile, coconut in equal proportions and applied to hair. Keep oil formulations on your head for at least 1 hour. You can also do these masks at night.

Harm and contraindications

Like any healthy healing plant, arugula has contraindications for use. In some cases, greens can harm the body. You should limit the intake of salad to pregnant women, since arugula in large quantities can cause muscle spasm.

1. Fresh greens of the plant have a burning taste, which does not reflect well on the well-being of people suffering from an ulcer or gastritis.
2. The presence of phytoncides in the product may lead to allergic reactions.
3. Arugula is not recommended for people suffering from kidney and liver diseases. In the presence of any chronic disease, before you turn on the salad in the menu, you should consult a specialist.

Individual intolerance to the grass may also appear, so the first use should start with a small amount.

How to choose and store arugula

An amazing plant with a nutty mustard taste in large quantities is grown in the Mediterranean countries, Africa, Asia. In our country, useful spice is grown mainly in the Caucasus.If you want to get a healthy arugula, you need to pay attention to its appearance.

1. You need to choose plants with young leaves, the height should be within 20-30 cm.
2. The color of the leaves should be bright green.
3. If there are yellow streaks on the leaves, it is better to refuse to buy - the product is stale.

Keep arugula fresh in the refrigerator. It is better to wrap greens in cling film or polyethylene. In this form, greens can be safely stored for 3 days. You can also put the salad in a bowl of water, and close the lid on top. So the product will retain all the freshness and aroma. If you need to keep greens up to 7-10 days, then you can use vacuum containers.

Is it possible to freeze
In order to maintain a healthy salad for a long time, you can use methods such as freezing or drying. In the freezer, subject to all the rules for preparation and storage, greens can be stored for up to 1 year.

Arugula can be finely chopped and placed in a suitable container or laid whole. Put the dishes in the freezer. You can also make ice cubes from green arugula. Place chopped greens in molds and fill with water. In the future, you can get the cubes in portions when cooking.

Arugula Salads Recipes

In cooking, there are many recipes for salads with arugula, each of which is unique and extremely useful.

Arugula Salad with Chicken Breast

To prepare a simple salad you will need this set of products:

• chicken breast - 250 grams;
• arugula leaves - 100 grams;
• honey - 2 tsp;
• onions - 1 pc.;
• tangerines - 3 pcs.;
• olive oil - 2 tbsp;
• vegetable little - 2 tbsp;
• mustard - 2 tsp;
• lemon juice - 2 tbsp .;
• any spices to taste.

Put the leaves of the plant on a plate or in a salad bowl. Top with peeled and chopped tangerines. Cut the chicken breast into pieces, roll in spices and fry in vegetable oil. Once the breast has cooled, put it on the tangerines. Top with garnish with chopped onions. Prepare dressing by mixing mustard, olive oil, honey and lemon juice. Pour the mixture with the mixture. Enjoy your meal!

Tuna and Arugula Salad

Components:

• arugula - 100 grams;
• egg - 2 pcs.;
• a can of canned tuna;
• tomatoes - 3 pcs.;
• avocado - 1 pc.;
• olive oil - 2 tbsp;
• wine vinegar - 1 tablespoon

First boil the eggs, cut them into 4 parts. Put the leaves of arugula on the dish, chopped tomatoes on top, then eggs. Peel and slice the avocado, put the slices as a decoration on the edges of the plate. Then knead the tuna with a fork directly in the jar, put on a plate with the rest of the products. Pour everything on top with a mixture prepared from vinegar and olive oil.

Can animals be given arugula?

Pets rarely prefer to eat plant foods. But still there are grass lovers who like to feast on lettuce leaves. For example, rabbits love fresh arugula leaves. However, you should not overfeed her. Rabbits have a weak digestive system, so the dosage must be observed.

Dogs and cats can try adding greens at the end of cooking - after cooking meat soups, cereals.

How to grow arugula at home

A useful and healing plant can be grown both in the garden and on the windowsill of the house. Unpretentious spice is grown from seeds. Sowing should be done in March. Before the process, it is necessary to prepare the soil. If possible, it is better to purchase ready-made soil, which contains all the necessary substances.

For sowing seeds, it is better to choose a separate container. Disposable glasses are perfect for this. Sow seeds in moist soil, then cover with a film for faster emergence of sprouts. After the appearance of the leaves, remove the shelter.Arugula as it is desirable to periodically feed supplements and water.

In open ground, you can plant both seeds and grown seedlings. With proper and regular care, healthy and healthy leaves will grow. They must be collected before the onset of flowering. Greens grow well, so you will be satisfied with the harvest.

Interesting Arugula Facts

An amazing useful plant has some features that are unique to it. In order for salad leaves to bring only benefits to the body, you need to know the facts about this spice:

1. When cooking dishes, the leaves of arugula should not be cut with a knife, since the blade is oxidized. They must be torn by hands.
2. Arugula leaves need to be collected before the appearance of flowers. Since after flowering they will become bitter and stiff.
3. Arugula belongs to the genus cabbage. Therefore, cabbage, radish, horseradish and mustard are close relatives of the medicinal plant.
4. The Romans and Greeks greatly appreciated this plant for its beneficial qualities and healing effect. He was considered one of the powerful means of enhancing sexual desire. In Egypt, it was a custom when at the wedding before the wedding night, the groom was given a drink with arugula.
5. In France, in the 18th century, this plant was used to restore a torn voice. A little later, the inhabitants of Italy began to idolize this spice, adding it to many dishes.
6. Arugula is currently grown worldwide. An unpretentious plant feels great on window sills, in greenhouses and open ground.

A spicy plant has unique beneficial and healing properties. If you include salad in the daily menu, you can not only get rid of many diseases, but also prevent the development of serious ailments. The widespread use of arugula in cooking, medicine and cosmetology makes this amazing product in demand and popular.

Arugula photo