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Home > Nutrition > Arugula: Nutrition, Health Benefits, and More

Arugula: Nutrition, Health Benefits, and More

November 10, 2022
7 min read
By Shiza Khan, M.Sc. – Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics | Dietitian/Nutritionist

In this article:

  • Nutritional Profile of Arugula
  • Health Benefits of Arugula
  • How to Consume Arugula
  • Precautions to Consider
  • Most-Asked Questions About Arugula
  • Final Word

Arugula leaves are popular salad leaves alongside baby spinach and lettuce. They have a distinctive peppery taste that stands out.

arugula: health benefits and how to consume

Arugula belongs to the same family of plants as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. (1) It is widely grown in India, Pakistan, North Africa, Iran, and some European countries. (1)

Nutritional Profile of Arugula

About 100 g of arugula leaves contains a mere 25 calories, along with 4 g of carbohydrates, 3 g of protein, almost 0 fat, and 92 g of water. (2)

A 100 g serving of arugula provides 13% of the daily requirement of vitamin A, 25% of folate, 15% of vitamin C, and 90% of vitamin K. It also contains some amounts of other B complex vitamins. (2)

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Arugula is also rich in minerals such as calcium (160 mg), magnesium (47 mg), iron (1.5mg), manganese (0.3 mg), and potassium (369 mg). (2)

Health Benefits of Arugula

Consuming arugula offers the following advantages to health.

1. Promotes heart health

arugula contains compounds beneficial for heart health

Arugula leaves contain beneficial compounds such as flavanols that have a beneficial effect on the heart. In one study, arugula reduced inflammation in the body and prevented blood clot formation that could potentially clog blood vessels. (1)

The results of multiple studies have also indicated that a diet rich in flavanols such as those from arugula largely benefits heart health and reduces the risk of developing heart diseases. (3)

2. Reduces blood pressure

Arugula is one of the most abundant sources of nitrates with 2 units per 80 g, and nitrates aid in regulating blood pressure. (4) They work by relaxing the muscles of the blood vessels, reducing their thickness and easing stiffness to ease the flow of blood and reduce pressure. (4)

In addition, the potassium in arugula can help reduce blood pressure by balancing excess sodium in the body. (5)

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3. Reduces diabetes complications

arugula can prove beneficial in diabetes management

Extracts of arugula show antidiabetic activity by reducing blood sugar and total cholesterol levels. (6)

Lab studies have found arugula to improve insulin sensitivity in cells, which can be used to manage type 2 diabetes effectively. (6) Moreover, animal studies have found that kaempferol in arugula reduced complications of diabetes that arise in the nerves. (1)

4. May improve skin health

The vitamin C and vitamin A in arugula are important for skin health as they promote collagen production and maintain elasticity in the skin, reduce free radical damage, and protect the skin against UV damage. (7)

Though there is no direct evidence of arugula’s effect on the skin, these nutrients likely provide the benefits.

5. Boosts exercise performance

arugula contains nitrates which helps boost exercise performance

Dietary nitrates improve exercise performance in athletes and boost recovery post exercise. (8) Including arugula in pre- and post-meals can be an effective and natural way to improve fitness levels.

6. Aids in detoxification

Though the liver and kidneys are the body’s main detoxification sites, certain nutrients can aid the detoxification pathways.

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Arugula contains a compound called erucin, which improves the activity of detoxification enzymes and is also useful in bringing about cancer cell death. (9)

7. May improve reproductive health in men

Arugula can help improve erectile dysfunction in men, though not directly.

In a study conducted on rats, arugula consumption enhanced the activity of a drug commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction. This study suggested that arugula consumption in addition to medication may be beneficial, though it is recommended you consult a doctor first. (10)

8. May promote good sleep

arugula consumption can also help promote sound sleep at night

A recent study has found a relationship between certain nutrients and sleep. The Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits and vegetables such as arugula, is believed to induce good sleep as it provides nutrients that promote good-quality sleep. (11)

9. Reduces cancer risk

Arugula contains potent compounds that have been widely studied for their role in cancer prevention. (9)

In addition, erucin (a compound found in arugula) can interfere with cancer cell growth and prevent them from multiplying and spreading. (12)

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How to Consume Arugula

Arugula can be safely eaten raw. Due to its taste, it is often included in salads and not smoothies or other health drinks. A drizzle of olive oil, apple cider or balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice can help mask the strong taste if you are averse to it.

Precautions to Consider

Since arugula leaves contain a lot of vitamin K, it may interfere with blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.

It is advisable to consult a doctor before consuming such foods. In addition, consuming excessive amounts of arugula can cause flatulence, bloating, and stomach discomfort due to its high amounts of fiber.

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Most-Asked Questions About Arugula

Is arugula the same as rocket leaves?

is arugula the same as rocket leaves?

Yes, arugula leaves are also known as rocket or roquette leaves.

Can I eat arugula every day?

About 100 g or roughly 3 handfuls of arugula leaves can be eaten daily; it can protect the body from illnesses and keep it healthy.

Which is better arugula or spinach?

Both arugula and spinach have health-benefiting properties and can be included in the diet in moderate amounts for their benefits.

Does arugula make you gassy?

Arugula has high fiber content and can cause stomach discomfort if eaten raw and in high quantities. Combine it with vinegar or lemon juice to make its digestion easier and to reduce discomfort.

Final Word

Arugula leaves are another example of nature’s bounty.

Loaded with beneficial vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds, arugula offers various health benefits that include improving diabetes and its complications, keeping the heart healthy, lowering blood pressure, protecting the body against cancer cells, aiding detoxification, and improving skin health.

References
  1. Bell L, Wagstaff C. Rocket science: A review of phytochemical & health-related research in eruca & diplotaxis species. Food chemistry: X. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6690419/. Published March 30, 2019. 
  2. Arugula, raw. Arugula, raw nutrition facts and analysis. https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Arugula%2C_raw_nutritional_value.html?size=100%2Bg
  3. Kozłowska A, Szostak-Węgierek D. Targeting cardiovascular diseases by flavonols: An update. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9003055/. Published March 30, 2022. 
  4. Lidder S, Webb AJ. Vascular effects of dietary nitrate (as found in green leafy vegetables and beetroot) via the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. British journal of clinical pharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3575935/. Published March 2013. 
  5. Sodium, Potassium and Health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/salt/potassium.htm. Published August 23, 2022. 
  6. Hetta MH, Owis AI, Haddad PS, Eid HM. The fatty acid-rich fraction of Eruca sativa (rocket salad) leaf extract exerts antidiabetic effects in cultured skeletal muscle, adipocytes and liver cells. Pharmaceutical biology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6130626/. Published December 2017. 
  7. Michalak M, Pierzak M, Kręcisz B, Suliga E. Bioactive compounds for skin health: A Review. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7827176/. Published January 12, 2021. 
  8. Arciero PJ, Miller VJ, Ward E. Performance enhancing diets and the Prise Protocol to optimize athletic performance. Journal of nutrition and metabolism. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4408745/. Published 2015. 
  9. Azarenko O, Jordan MA, Wilson L. Erucin, the major isothiocyanate in Arugula (Eruca sativa), inhibits proliferation of MCF7 tumor cells by suppressing microtubule dynamics. PloS one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4065051/. Published June 20, 2014. 
  10. Mallah E; Saleh S; Rayyan WA; Dayyih WA; Elhajji FD; Mima M; Awad R; Arafat T; The influence of Eruca sativa (arugula) on pharmacokinetics of sildenafil in rats. Neuro endocrinology letters. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28871716/.
  11. Scoditti E, Tumolo MR, Garbarino S. Mediterranean diet on sleep: A health alliance. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9318336/. Published July 21, 2022.
  12. L; AOJMAW. Erucin, the major isothiocyanate in Arugula (Eruca sativa), inhibits proliferation of MCF7 tumor cells by suppressing microtubule dynamics. PloS one. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24950293/.
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