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Purslane – What are Purslane Health Benefits? | Purslane Good For Your Health | Health Benefits Of Purslane

It is also high in vitamin C and E, as are many plants. This is one reason it is often used medicinally to treat mild burns, much as Aloe is, for the same reason. High iron and potassium levels are not unusual with purslane.Purslane also tastes great as a potherb. It isn’t a case of eating something you know is good for you, but hesitating because it tastes horrid. This plant can appeal to the taste buds of young and old alike. In fact, it is easy to forget the health benefits when you taste it.

At only sixteen calories per hundred gram serving, wild purslane packs lots of nutritional punch without excess calories. It’s also a good source of B vitamins which are important for carbohydrate metabolism and for keeping the nervous system healthy.When you plan your next salad, don’t forget about the many health benefits of purslane. Add some chopped raw purslane to a fresh garden salad or steam it as a side dish in the same way you’d prepare spinach. You can also toss it into soups for added taste and nutrition. Enjoy.

Purslane is receiving much attention for cultivation by the USDA as part of its effort to modify Western diets by increasing the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. To determine its nutritional value, scientists at Tuskegee University examined the chemical profile of regular and wild purslane. They found that the high protein and low total fat content of purslane makes it a product of interest for use in developing novel foods.Researchers purchased approximately 175 pounds of commercial purslane. Wild purslane was obtained as well. All samples were washed and their leaves were frozen at -20 C, then freeze-dried and ground into powder. Scientists determined the chemical profile protein, fat, moisture, ash, dietary fiber and fatty acid content of triplicate samples, according to AOAC methods.

Purslane, or verdolaga, is a fleshy succulent vegetable consumed extensively as a cooked vegetable or salad. It can be added to soups as a thickening agent. It is valued as a medicinal herb in Europe and Asia. There is an increased interest in consuming purslane in North America because of its high content of omega 3 fatty acids, alpha linolenic acid and dietary fiber. These substances may protect us against cardiovascular disease and other chronic illnesses such as cancer, dyslipidemia and diabetes.

Purslane is a good source of vitamins A, C, and E vitamins known for their antioxidant benefits and for keeping the immune system healthy. When tested, wild purslane was found to be higher in antioxidant vitamins than even the super veggie spinach. It also contains two special alkaloid pigments that are very strong antioxidants. When it comes to antioxidant power, purslane trounces the competition.The downside of purslane is that it doesn’t store well. Drying or freezing destroys many of the health benefits. However, since this is a plant that is one of the first to grow in the early spring, and one of the last to die in the fall, at least for most of the season, you can avail yourself with the benefits of this great potherb most of the year.