Watercress is called Sai Yeong Choy in Cantonese
UK
Scientists say watercress is the new super food, able to prevent
certain types of cancer. According to a study published this week in The
British Journal of Nutrition, the consumption of a three ounce portion
of watercress reduced the presence of a key tumor growth factor six and
eight hours after eating the watercress in healthy patients who had
previously been treated for breast cancer. The study was conducted by
the Cancer Research Center at the School of Medicine, Southampton
General Hospital in the United Kingdom. The study concluded watercress
is as therapeutic as traditional drug treatments with tamoxifen and
herceptin, commonly used chemotherapy drugs.
The study also said
that through regular consumption, watercress "has the potential to
confer valuable protection against cancer in general." "Watercress has
the ability to turn off HIF1, a signal sent out by cells calling for
blood supply," said noted aging scientist Dr. Nicholas Perricone. When
HIF1 becomes incorrectly regulated, otherwise harmless precancerous
clusters of cells have the opportunity to grow to form invasive tumors.
"Scientists have been looking for anti-angiogenesis agents for years
because if we can turn off the blood supply, we can kill the cancer,"
said Perricone. "And it looks like watercress can do that." Another
study published in The! American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in
February of 2007 showed that, in addition to reducing DNA damage, a
daily dose of watercress increased the ability of cells to further
resist DNA damage that may be caused by free radicals.
In the
study, 60 men and women, half of whom were smokers, consumed their usual
diet plus 85 grams of raw watercress daily for eight weeks. Blood
samples were analyzed for plasma antioxidant status and DNA damage in
lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Watercress consumption
significantly reduced lymphocyte DNA damage. In the time of the Romans,
Greeks and Persians watercress was used as a natural medicine,
prescribed for migraines, anemia, eczema, kidney and liver disorder and
tuberculosis.
