Arugula, a.k.a. salad rocket, does indeed grow fast like a rocket. But speed isn’t the only thing common between arugula and rocket because arugula is like rocket fuel for your health and even libido!
Arugula belongs to the Cruciferae family, which includes broccoli, horseradish, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage. What makes cruciferous vegetables so good at eliminating cancer cells is their high antioxidant content.
Sulfur-based compounds called glucosinolates form a major part of their composition, and they are converted into isothiocyanates in the body. These isothiocyanates contain cancer-fighting properties and can obliterate cancer cells from leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer.
A 2014 study discovered that an isothiocyanate found in arugula called erucin can stop the growth of new breast cancer cells and even kill existing ones.
Ancient roots with multiple benefits
Arugula has been recognized for centuries as a potent aphrodisiac, and modern science supports this notion as well. Thanks to its wide range of minerals and antioxidants, arugula can protect your body from the toxins that lower libido.
But it’s not just about the sex appeal; arugula has a bevy of other health benefits as well. Besides fighting cancer and enhancing your sex life, it can:
- Improve your immune system
- Strengthen your bones
- Enhance your eye health
- Help you lose weight
- Prevent heart disease
- Decrease your risk of Alzheimer’s disease
The key to arugula’s numerous health benefits lies in its rich vitamin and mineral content. It is loaded with vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, folic acid, potassium, manganese, iron, calcium, and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.
Adding rocket fuel to your diet
If you want to start reaping the benefits of this libido-boosting, cancer-fighting wonderful veggie, you can begin by adding it to your salads and making dishes like arugula salad with grapes and sunflower seeds. But don’t stop there! Add it to pizza, soup, sandwiches, and pasta. By incorporating arugula into your daily diet, this so-called “salad rocket” will launch your health and sex life to new heights.
