Watercress – cultivation methods and health effects

authored by: Jan Philipp Schuchardt, Andreas Hahn, Theresa Greupner, Paulina Wasserfurth, María Rosales-López, Johann Hornbacher, Jutta Papenbrock
Abstract: Watercress, Nasturtium officinale R. Br., is a native water or semi-aquatic plant that has a high nutrient density. Physiologically relevant are the various glucosinolates, which possess positive health effects in form of their thio- and isothiocyanates. In an interdisciplinary project, we aim to develop a hydroponic, and finally an aquaponic, circulatory cultivation system and to study the health effects of watercress. In humans, there is a lack of data-based knowledge on potential beneficial health effects of watercress. Growth of watercress was followed during one season in an open-door hydroponic system. Watercress was also cultivated in the greenhouse in different substrates with different concentrations of nutrients and salt. The biomass production is strongly dependent on the temperature. The glucosinolate contents differ significantly during the growing season, especially during flowering. Watercress naturally grows in nutrient-rich fresh waters, however, when cultivated at NaCl concentrations of up to 120 mM the gain in biomass is still high. In a human proof-of-concept study, indications for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of fresh watercress were observed already after a single dose intake of fresh watercress (85 g). Further in vivo and in vitro studies are planned to study health beneficial effects of watercress and its metabolic activity.
Organisation(s): Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Institute of Botany
Nutrition Physiology and Human Nutrition Section
Type: Article
Journal: Journal of Applied Botany and Food Quality
Volume: 92
Pages: 232-239
No. of pages: 8
ISSN: 1613-9216
Publication date: 11.09.2019
Publication status: E-pub ahead of print
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Food Science, Plant Science
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.5073/JABFQ.2019.092.032 (Access: Open)