“Proposed beneficial components of vegetables and fruit include: antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, folate, flavonoids, lutein, glucosinolates, fibre and minerals such as potassium and vitamin B6.
“The EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) Norfolk population study found that plasma ascorbic acid (vitamin C) concentration was inversely related to all-cause mortality and particularly cardiovascular disease and ischaemic heart disease in both men and women.
“A rise in plasma ascorbic acid, equivalent to 50 grams of fruit or vegetable intake, was independently associated with about a 20 percent reduction in all-cause mortality.
“While no studies have been carried out with watercress to specifically assess its potential to help maintain cardiovascular health, watercress is rich in vitamin C and a good source of most of the identified beneficial components.
