You Ask, I Answer: Arugula
There are few things I love more than arugula salads.
Is arugula as healthy as other leafy green vegetables?
– Dan Christom
(Location withheld)
I, too, love arugula’s peppery flavor.
Something else worthy of affection? Its stellar nutritional profile!
A cup and a half (the amount typically used as a salad base) offers 15% of the Daily Value of vitamin A and almost half a day’s worth of vitamin K.
Arugula also delivers decent amounts of folate and vitamin C.
Remember, however, that vitamins and minerals are only half the tale.
Arugula is a very good source of many phytonutrients, including lutein and zeaxanthin (two powerhouses that fight macular degeneration).
Another bonus? Arugula belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family (where it counts broccoli, kale, and mustard greens as relatives). High intakes of these vegetables (five to six times a week) are associated with reduced risk of cervical, colon, lung, and prostate cancer.
PS: I often like to add a small amount of arugula to pesto for a unique flavor boost!
