Watercress and Cigarettes. What a seemingly unlikely pair

Unlikely indeed. But studies have brought these two odd fellows together. The first time was in 1995 and the findings then were nearly identical to those revealed in 2016.
You can read the abstract of the 95 study here but the last sentence states:

The results of this study support our hypothesis that PEITC inhibits this oxidative metabolism of NNK in humans, as seen in rodents, and support further development of PEITC
as a chemopreventive agent against lung cancer. This is the first study to report an effect of vegetable consumption on metabolism of a lung carcinogen in humans.

The 2016 report likewise states that watercress could be an invaluable weapon in the fight against lung cancer. But can watercress really help you quit smoking as others are professing?

2016 Study Results

Well, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, it was found through one study that daily supplements of watercress extract reduced the activation of nicotine-derived  nitrosamine ketone, and increased detoxification of benzene and acrolein, all of which lowers the risk for lung cancer! (Lung cancer is the RESULT of smoking – just keep that in mind.)

The study suggests that the increased risk for lung cancer caused by smoking cigarettes can be lowered or mitigated with watercress extract. It was noted as well though that smokers  still have a far greater risk of lung cancer than non-smokers because of the chemicals they willingly and habitually expose themselves to. (Those are the same words we’ve always understood.
Anyone can find themselves with lung cancer but it is well documented that smokers are at a higher risk. Nothing new there.)

So what is watercress

Watercress is an aquatic plant found near springs and slow-moving streams. It is a close cousin to tomato greens, arugula and cabbage but is often overlooked. Many consider it a weed.

Watercress bears small, round leaves, which, in season, produce tiny white flowers that become small pods with two rows of edible seeds.

Watercress has been cultivated in Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas for millennia for use as both food and a medicine. It is said to be one of the oldest known leaf vegetables to  be consumed by humans.

Watercress is 95% water and has low contents of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and dietary fiber. A 100-gram serving of raw watercress provides 11 calories, is particularly rich in vitamin K. It contains significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium, and manganese. (wikipedia)

One of the best culinary aspects of fresh watercress is its versatility. It can be used as a salad green or steamed and eaten as a vegetable. It can be added on top of soups or your pasta  as a condiment. The herb has a subtle, peppery flavor and its said to be a standard ingredient for sandwiches in Britain with high tea.

Health Properties of Watercress

Watercress earned its reputation as a healing herb around 400 BC. Hippocrates situated the first hospital on the island of Kos, close to a stream to ensure that fresh watercress would  be available for treating patients. In the 1700’s, Nicholas Culpeper believed watercress could cleanse the blood and modern science has now identified more than 15 essential vitamins
and minerals contained in this herb. In fact, watercress has more iron than spinach, more calcium than milk and more vitamin C than oranges. Not to mention watercress has been ranked  number one on the US Centers for Disease Control’s Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables list. (Now that’s a headline!)

Watercress also contains phytonutrients like isothiocyanates and antioxidants that are loaded with disease-preventive properties. Gluconasturtiin, a glucosinolate compound, contained  in the leaves and stems and providing phenethyl isothiocyanates, is shown to inhibit carcinogens.

Vitamin K is the most prominent nutrient in watercress. It forms and strengthens the bones and limits neuronal damage in the brain. It is helpful in treating Alzheimer’s disease.  This herb provides top-notch infection-fighting power to stave off colds and flu. It helps maintain healthy connective tissue, and prevent iron deficiency. Vitamin A, also known as retinol,  is essential for a properly functioning immune system and produces pigments in the retina of the eye. Without it, night blindness occurs. (foodfacts.mercola.com)

The Latest Study Revealed About Watercress and Cigarettes

The study in 2016 employed 82 subjects, who were all cigarette smokers, in a casual clinical trial led by Dr. Jian-Min Yuan, the associate director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s  Division of Cancer Control and Population Science. One group was given a placebo while the others were given 10 milligrams of the watercress plant integrated into one milliliter of olive oil.
They were given four times on a daily basis for a week. (Without getting off point – I just want to point out the ingredients in this mixture. 10 milligrams of the watercress plant – you know,  that weed that grows abundantly around the world and 1 milliliter of olive oil. Remember those inexpensive ingredients. It will be important shortly.)

The set of test subjects were then subjected to a 7-day detoxification phase. In other words, neither group took anything, neither the plant nor the placebo. There was then a flip-over between the groups wherein those who had taken the plant the first time around was now given the placebo and vise versa. It must also be recognized that all of the participants continued their normal
smoking habits. (But I thought the headlines said this would help you quit smoking. These people were not even asked to sustain and evidently they didn’t.)

But Onward

The results showed 7.7 percent of the nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone was diminished in the smokers who took the watercress plant extract (10 milligrams of the watercress plant and 1 milliliter  of olive oil). The plant extract also managed to purify benzene by 24.6 percent and acrolein by 15.1 percent, all in just one week of experimentation. (counselheal) Everyone was thrilled.
(And quite frankly should have been. You can read the doctors entire abstract here.)

Dr. Jian-Min Yuan added that more tests, with up to 100 humans would be needed before proposing a treatment plan for smokers, but he was optimistic.

What Do We Gain From This Data

To me, and to you as well I suspect, all of this wonderful news (and it is indeed wonderful news) doesn’t sound like a real “quit” smoking campaign or even an aid for those who have decided to give smoking up for the betterment of their good health. (And honestly that’s the only real way to lessen your risk of lung disease. Stop smoking.) Even Dr. Yuan said that after delivering his
finds in the 2016 study.

Cigarette smokers are at far greater risk than the general public for developing lung cancer, and helping smokers quit should be our top cancer prevention priority in these people,” Yuan was quoted in Science Daily)

Take the bull by the horn

It sounds more like just another ‘a pill’ that can be purchased, allowing you to continue to buy cigarettes and help you to never kick the habit (or need to) or to reach your goal of being  free of this addiction by promising a drug that will allow you to continue in your unhealthy and expensive habit. (After all, the tobacco and drug companies don’t really want to lose your  business so this alternative smoke screen works for them and you can be darn sure they will back it.)

With that said, I do believe, that for many of us, giving up smoking is one of those necessary ‘small changes’ that need to take place and looking for easy methods of reaching that goal are
most times futile. Like many other ‘small changes’, smoking is just one of those bulls you have to take by the horns and do battle with. But, once beaten – and you can beat it, three things will instantly happen. Your physical health begins to improve immediately (and I do mean immediately), your spirit gains a bit of peace and your wallet gets a little plumper.
(All great things and a real reason for a celebration!)

A little side note here: Remember when I said that if you consciously work to make one small healthy change others will inevitably happen. Well right there is the proof.

Back On Subject

So, does the use of Watercress Extract help you stop smoking? (After all, that is the claim by many a source.) Here’s my take away from reading these two studies. (Both links are available to
you here and here for your own scrutiny. I suggest you take the time to read through them both. Remember, you and you alone must take ownership and responsibility of your own health and well
being and, like every other blogger on the web, these are MY opinions. Develop your own opinions by gaining knowledge.)

Anyway, I have decided first that neither study ever claims that Watercress or Watercress Extract was ever intended to help smokers give up the habit. Dr Yuan made this statement during his
presentation:

“But nicotine is very addictive, and quitting can take time and multiple relapses. Having a tolerable, nontoxic treatment, like watercress extract, that can protect smokers against cancer
would be an incredibly valuable tool in our cancer-fighting arsenal.”

So first you see, just by this short statement, that Dr Yuan is speaking, I think, about people who are trying to give up smoking. And secondly, by using Watercress Extract, while working
to make that goal a reality (which he kind of says it is a ‘one step forward two steps back’ type of battle) a person can feel confident that when they do ‘slip’ in their effort that a shield
of sorts is there to protect them. And that is a great discovery!

Watercress and Cigarettes

Cigarettes. Give them up! That’s pretty easy to say. That’s really hard to do. Use Watercress Extract? That’s the word.

My word? It certainly can’t hurt. You just read all of the health benefits of watercress in its natural plant form. And, according to the research you just read for yourself, the Extract will
in fact give some protection to your healing body while you work toward becoming cigarette free. The bottom line? If you think it will help you, it’s safe, go for it! (Here’s a link to an Organic Alcohol-FREE Liquid Watercress Extract from Amazon. Take a look. You can probably also find it in your local pharmacy or health food store. I would definitely stick with organic and alcohol free.)

Another side note: There’s is a whole lot more to quitting smoking than just adding a supplement to your routine. Tobacco is an addictive substance and breaking a habit like smoking is not easy.
There will be psychological as well as physiological ramifications, like sudden nausea, depression, changes in bowel habits, irritability, difficulty sleeping, a sore throat and an increased
appetite to name just a few. But none of these will kill you. (You just might feel like they will for a while.) If you are considering quitting it is wise to first make a plan of action and
then execute it. Having the help of a health care professional is also recommended.

A Little Off Subject

While I was researching these studies, I tripped across a few interesting ways to use Watercress in our daily lives. Because of all I learned about the health benefits of this herb,
I realized it might be one of those ‘small changes’ I can make in my own life and those of my kids.

Fresh is always best. Cooking it loses some potency. Always wash it thoroughly.

The first was Deviled Eggs with Watercress. Make your deviled eggs as you always do except you add fresh chopped watercress in the yolk mixture. (Remember that it has a peppery taste,
so season accordingly.)

Add Watercress to tuna salad, eggs salad and potato salad. Just a gram should do it. (Once you start using fresh Watercress you can adjust to your own taste.) The important thing is to
add it to your diet once a week or so.

An even easier way is simply add some to your salads or use it in place of lettuce on sandwiches. I also read where one woman added it on top of her salmon cakes. It all sounds good to me.

The bottom line: We could all use a little Watercress in our diets – in one form or another.