Weeds aren’t usually the most sought ever thing in life, which is why most homeowners spend hours plucking them from the ground on a mission to get their yards looking nice. For some, weeding can be therapeutic as it offers a feeling of accomplishment, due to the constant pulling and prying that leaves your yard free of the pesky visitor.
While most of us despise weeds, there is one that we should all be looking out for, as it is proven to benefit us in surprising ways. Purslane, a weed that looks a bit like ground covering, has a tendency to run rampant in most yards and we typically wipe it out with the weed wacker, however, you might have to save it for consumption for the following seven reasons:
It serves as a source of potassium.
Containing almost 250 milligrams of potassium, purslane has the potential to lower your blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and speed up recovery after a grueling workout. It comes highly recommended for athletes.
It fits into your diet plan.
The fibrous weed not only has a tendency to fill you up for a long period of time, but it only has 16 calories, which takes up a miniscule amount of your daily recommended calories. Due to the large amount of fiber, the rate of sugar in your bloodstream will slow down.
It serves as a great addition to your green smoothie.
Green smoothies have many health perks and by adding purslane, those perks will only increase and if you can’t manage to stomach it by eating it whole, it’s much easier consumed in smoothie form. Feel free to toss it in the blender along with a variety of antioxidant-filled berries.
It’s great for your eyes.
Purlane comes in first when it comes to leaves filled with Vitamin A, which is beneficial for sight, bones, teeth, and overall immunity.
It’s high in omega-3 fatty acids.
Purlane takes first place when it comes to omega-3, as it provides more than any other leafy vegetable. Omega-3 is known to help sleep, depression, rheumatoid arthritis, and mood.
It’s a great conversation piece.
The word about purslane’s perks is spreading fast and many fine dining restaurants are including it in their top dishes. While the flavor is not for everyone, purslane can be pretty tasty when paired with the right dish and it has a similar flavor to arugula, which is known for its bold, peppery flavor.
It’s filled with calcium.
Calcium is one of the most-needed minerals, especially for those who lead an active lifestyle. Not only is calcium imminent for healthy bone building, but it plays a major role in heart, muscle and nerve health which ultimately aids in protecting against diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure.
If you didn’t eat purslane before, you may just want to add it to your diet based on the many health perks. And it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than some vitamins that are on the market and easy to find. Simply start by looking in your backyard.
