Rich in Potassium and Calcium 🦴🫀
Antioxidants aren’t the only good things you’ll find in this plant that some call a weed. Purslane is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Scientific studies have suggested that getting enough potassium in your diet can help lower blood pressure, which is good for your heart. Meanwhile, calcium plays a key role in how our kidneys work, how we digest food, and most famously, in keeping our bones strong, according to a report from 2019. Because of this, doctors often recommend that people with certain conditions, like hypoparathyroidism, problems absorbing nutrients, and osteoporosis, get more calcium.
Also Provides Magnesium ⚙️🧠
The Nutrition Source explains that magnesium helps with many important jobs in our bodies. These include keeping our blood sugar and blood pressure at healthy levels, helping our muscles and nerves work properly, and also building proteins and making our bones stronger. Eating a diet that includes enough magnesium may help lower the chance of developing certain health issues like high blood pressure and migraines. (It’s worth noting that studies on whether magnesium supplements provide the same benefits have had mixed results. Because of this, experts often suggest getting magnesium from the foods we eat.)
Things to Be Aware Of ⚠️
It’s important to know that purslane also contains high amounts of oxalates. Oxalates are natural substances found in many plants and also made by our bodies. However, they aren’t a nutrient we need, and too much of them might not be good for everyone. Oxalates can bind to other minerals in our digestive system, like calcium and iron, forming compounds that are then passed out of the body instead of being absorbed. Sometimes, this binding can also lead to the formation of crystals, which can contribute to kidney stones.
Who Might Want to Be Careful with Purslane? 🚫🥗
Because of the oxalate content, research often suggests that people who have high levels of this acid in their urine should follow a diet low in oxalates. If this applies to you, or if you have conditions that increase your risk of kidney stones (like inflammatory bowel disease or other problems with your digestive system), it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor before you start eating purslane regularly.
How You Can Eat Purslane 🍽️
This leafy green can be eaten either cooked or raw. In
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