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This Is Why You Should Add Rhubarb to Your Diet Right Now

Rhubarb is a member of the Polygonacae plant family, and originated in Asia. In fact, the Chinese cultivated the herb for thousands of years before it first arrived to Europe in the 14th Century via the Silk Road. It began to be cultivated in the UK in the 17th Century, and has since become highly prized for its medicinal and nutritional value. Here are the top 10 health benefits of rhubarb:
 

1. Aids Weight Loss

Rhubarb is one of the lowest-calorie vegetables you can buy, with 100g of it only containing 21 calories, making it ideal as part of a weight loss diet. What’s more is that rhubarb contains several organic compounds that speed up metabolic function, thus allowing the body to burn fat quicker.


2. Prevents Cardiovascular Cancer
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Due to its low cholesterol and fat content, rhubarb is considered to be an excellent vegetable for maintaining good heart health. In addition, rhubarb can actually increase levels of good cholesterol in the blood thanks to the presence of dietary fiber. This fiber cleanses cholesterol from arterial walls and blood vessels. Last but not least, its high antioxidant content also contributes to good heart health.


3. Boosts Digestive Function

The dietary fiber in rhubarb makes it excellent for maintaining good digestive system health and ensuring smooth and regular bowel movements. In fact, it’s actually used as a treatment for constipation, and can even prevent cramping, bloating and colorectal cancer.

4. Prevents Alzheimer’s disease
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Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease, is becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. Due to its high vitamin K content, rhubarb is great for preventing the disease from developing. It can also stimulate cognitive activity.

5. Promotes Bone Health

 The vitamin K content of rhubarb helps to repair damaged bones and stimulate bone growth. Rhubarb also contains a great amount of calcium, as well as many other minerals that are conducive to good bone health.

 
6. Boosts Blood Circulation
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Rhubarb also has a high iron and copper content, which makes it ideal for boosting blood circulation and stimulating the production of new red blood cells. What’s more is that it’s also great for oxygenating the blood in the body’s extremities.

7. Fights Skin Infections

Being a natural antifungal and natural antibacterial agent, rhubarb is excellent for protecting the skin from several types of infection. In fact, it’s often mashed into a paste and administered by alternative medicine practitioners in order to treat skin infections.

8. Great Way to Detox Naturally
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If you’re in need of a good detox, the high dietary content of rhubarb, as well as its laxative properties, make it a fantastic detoxifying agent. These properties also contributed to weight loss if you happen to be on a diet.

9. Improves Immune System Function

Our modern lifestyles mean that we’re exposed to elevated levels of stress, pollution and unhealthy fast food. As a consequence, our immune system function can become compromised. This can be remedied by consuming a source of vitamin C daily. Rhubarb is an excellent source of vitamin C.

10. Eases Menopause Symptoms
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Menopause is a time of upheaval for women, who tend to go through several emotional and physical changes, as well as face an elevated risk of suffering from osteoporosis. Rhubarb’s high calcium content means that it is ideal for easing menopausal symptoms.


Content source: Vkool
Images (including cover) by Deposit Photos.
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