10 Reasons You Should Be Eating More Salad Rocket

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If you read the headline and wondered what the heck salad rocket was, you are not alone. Although this veggie is popular in other parts of the world, especially in Italy, it’s still a well-kept secret in the US. This terrific green has very few calories, tons of peppery flavor, loaded with nutrients, you just can’t go wrong by eating arugula. Yep, arugula. It goes by several names, such as garden rocket, salad rocket, roquette, rugula, and colewort. Arugula looks something like a small, open leaf lettuce and is related to mustard greens and kale. You know anything related to kale must be super good for you, right?

Arugula will give you more benefits if you eat it raw, but slightly steaming or lightly cooking arugula will release more carotenoids, so no matter how you choose to eat it, your body wins!

Take a look at the top 10 reasons you should be chowing down on more arugula.

1. Fights Cancer

Like its cousins broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, arugula is a cancer fighting fiend. Its high fiber and antioxidant compounds, combined with its richness in glucosinolates, have many studies showing that arugula, and its cousins, can protect us from numerous cancers including breast, prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancer.

2. Supports Weight Loss

Consuming 2 full cups of arugula will net you only a skinny 80 calories! They are high in fiber as well, which means they fill you up but won’t fill you out. Adding arugula is a smart idea for those who are looking to drop a few pounds.

3. Protects the Brain

Arugula is high in several vitamins but it is especially packed with folate, an important B vitamin. Low levels of folate have been linked to higher risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of cognitive decline.

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