The pinkish, large leafed stalks of the rhubarb plant are starting to gain attention, and many people are shocked to learn that it is actually high in essential nutrients. Commonly used in pies in the American South, rhubarb may resemble celery, but it is actually considered to be a fruit. Whether you decide to grill, bake, broil or eat it raw, adding Rhubarb to your daily diet can have several surprising health benefits.
9 Health Benefits of Rhubarb
Calcium
Calcium is essential for strong teeth and bones, and one cup of Rhubarb contains 10 percent of your daily recommended dosage of this important mineral. When calcium deficiencies occur in the body bones can weaken and become brittle. This often results in frequent broken bones, especially in the elderly. A calcium deficiency can also cause tooth loss and decay, which affects your physical health and sense of self-confidence.
Lutein
Rhubarb contains the compound referred to as Lutein, which is essential for the health of your skin and eyes. According to health and nutrition experts your skin and eyes need extra protection from the daily exposure to harmful pollens in the air and adding one cup of Rhubarb to your diet can provide your body with the ability to prevent and fight off certain types of cancer.
Vitamin K
This essential vitamin is important for your overall health, and it is also one of the most common nutrients found lacking in the average diet. Vitamin K is necessary for your blood to clot during an injury, to prevent dangerous blood loss. Without enough of the vitamin in your diet, small cuts can become life threatening. Adding just one cup of Rhubarb to your diet will provide you with over 35 mcg of the vitamin to help prevent excessive bleeding.
Antioxidants
Rhubarb also contains an amazing amount of antioxidants, which are essential for your overall health. These nutrients are what give the plant its familiar pink color, and will help your body fight to successfully fight off certain diseases. According to the American Dietary Association, the fruit can also help promote a healthy immune system, along with preventing cardio vascular disease. Rhubarb also shocked health officials when they realized adding one cup of the plant to your daily can also help prevent and fight cancer-causing free radicals.
Live Longer
Adding one cup of Rhubarb to your daily serving of fruits and vegetables can dramatically lower your risk of developing certain cancers, along with heart related diseases. The vitamins and minerals contained in the stalks can also lower your risk of developing dementia, and prevent cartilage from deteriorating and causing painful arthritis. Not only can Rhubarb help you live longer, it can help you stay healthy and active during your “golden years”.
Reduce Stress
High levels of stress are dangerous for your physical and emotional well-being, and one cup of the celery like fruit can dramatically reduce tension. Vitamin K and other nutrients can reduce stress causing inflammation, along with depression and anxiety. The leafy fruit also contains magnesium and potassium that are essential to reduced stress levels, and to lower high blood pressure rates. Once your stress levels have been lowered, you’ll generally notice an almost immediate improvement in your overall health.
Digestive Health
When you add one cup of Rhubarb to your diet, you can dramatically improve your digestive health. The soluble fibre found in the rhubarb stalk can reduce painful gas and bloating, along with promoting the growth of health bacteria. When healthy bacteria are growing in your digestive tract, it is easier to have a bowel movement. This helps to prevent tearing in the intestine and stomach lining, along with easing heartburn and gas.
Healthy Weight Loss
Researchers were surprised to learn that this seldom thought of leaf plant contained enough soluble fibre to promote healthy weight loss. With one cup of Rhubarb or 32 mg, you can add enough fiber to your diet to begin seeing a noticeable difference in the scales. When you add more healthy fiber to your diet, you often feel full longer making it easier to consume fewer calories and lose the extra pounds.
Younger Looking Skin
One of the most shocking health benefits associated with Rhubarb is the simple fact that it can help skin look younger, and works as a skin care treatment. The vitamins and nutrients contained in one cup can help stimulate healthy cell rejuvenation, along with brightening the natural look of your skin. It can also fight off the free radicals that cause several signs of aging, and give your skin a healthy glow that you will be proud to show off.
Summary
It is shocking to learn that this pink leafy plant is actually a fruit and that it has the same amazing health benefits as many vegetables. There are hundreds of ways you can add a cup of Rhubarb to your diet, from grilling it to adding some on your salad. You can improve your overall health and emotional well-being, along with having younger looking skin, all be adding this common plant to your daily diet.
References:
http://www.rhubarb-central.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhubarb
https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health
http://www.livestrong.com/article/403208-the-health-benefits-of-rhubarb/
If it's considered to be a fruit does that mean it is not a vegetable, or are those people who consider it a fruit actually wrong? I think a fruit should have seeds inside it. Or be made of seeds.
Hey Will – yeah, technically, I guess it is a vegetable!
CAUTION! The following quote from the above article (taken from the section 'Digestive Health') is incredibly misleading:
"When you add one cup of Rhubarb to your diet, you can dramatically improve your digestive health. The soluble fibre found in leafy greens can reduce painful gas and bloating, along with promoting the growth of health bacteria."
The reader may understandably think the reference to leafy greens is referring to rhubarb leaves, which are poisonous and eating them can be deadly. I think the author/site owner should correct this to avoid inadvertantly causing a health emergency. As Wikipedia says: "Rhubarb leaves contain poisonous substances, including oxalic acid, which is a nephrotoxic and corrosive acid that is present in many plants. Humans have been poisoned after ingesting the leaves, a particular problem during World War I when the leaves were mistakenly recommended as a food source in Britain."
Thanks for catching that! This was from a guest author, and that line totally crossed my eyes! I changed it 🙂