Superfood: Watercress

image from here

Watercress is an underrated herb in more ways than one. Recent studies show that watercress is packed with a natural plant compound called phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC). With a name that complicated it has to do something good for you! PEITC is an anti cancer compound that works by turning off a protein called Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF). HIF is produced by cancerous tumors causing surrounding normal tissues to grow new blood vessels into the tumor, providing the cancer with
oxygen and nutrients. This protein plays a critical role in the development and spread of breast and other cancers. And just 80g of watercress is packed full of cancer fighting PEITC goodness, so get into it! To help you get started here is a fantastic watercress pesto recipe to try, serve it with grilled fish for extra cancer fighting powers.


Watercress and Rocket Pesto
1 small roasted clove of garlic
1 handful of flesh basil picked
1/2 handful of mint leaves
120g of wild rocket
120g of watercress
1 handful of roasted pine nuts
1 good handful of freshly grated parmesan cheese
extra virgin olive oil
small squeeze of lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place all ingredients into a food processor and pulse till corsely chopped and come together. Or you can make this in a moter and pestle. Use the salt to help break up the herbs.