Tips & Tricks

Many Confuse This Plant with a Weed, But It’s Actually Full of Surprising Health Benefits

Purslane, also known as Portulaca oleracea, is a plant commonly found across the United States. Its other names include pigweed, little hogweed, and fatweed. It’…
Many Confuse This Plant with a Weed, But It’s Actually Full of Surprising Health Benefits
Send to

Purslane, also known as Portulaca oleracea, is a plant commonly found across the United States. Its other names include pigweed, little hogweed, and fatweed. It’s also a popular potherb in Asia and Europe, especially in the Mediterranean region. Not only is it fairly easy to grow, it’s rich in vital minerals and vitamins with antioxidant properties. It’s no wonder that this succulent has been long used in ancient medicine, particularly in Chinese tradition, which describes it as “the vegetable for long life”.

The Nutritional Content of Purslane

This succulent is high in many nutrients including vitamin A, E, and C, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and iron. It also has small amounts of folate, phosphorus, copper, as well as vitamins B1, B2, and B3. Purslane is 93% water, and therefore it’s low in calories, making it extremely nutritionally-dense. It’s also a versatile food that could be aded to a plethora of dishes.

High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial fats the body isn’t able to develop on its own, so it must get it from foods. Many people associate this nutrient with fatty fish such as salmon, but purslane is an example of a plant-based source. There is not much fat in this plant, but what’s there is largely in the form of omega-3s, according to Healthline. Moreover it has two types of these fatty acids: ALA and EPA. ALA appears in many plants, such as spinach, but purslane contains 5 to 7 times more. Additionally, EPA is usually found in animal products and algae, and it’s generally not found in land plants. EPA is also more active in the body than ALA.

High in Antioxidants

The vitamins in purslane contain various antioxidants. For example, vitamin C is also called ascorbic acid and it helps maintain the wellbeing of bones, skin, and muscles. Meanwhile, vitamin A has beta-corotene, which is famous for promoting good eye health. And it has alpha-tocopherol, a type of vitamin E that may protect cell membranes from external damage. At the same time, this plant contains compounds with antioxidants, such as glutathione and betalain, which help protect cell damage and betalain. Plus, it has melatonin, which is a hormone that can aid sleep.

High in Potassium and Calcium

Antioxidants are not the only beneficial compounds in this weed. Purslane is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Scientific evidence has linked potassium intake to lowered blood pressure, which can improve heart health. Meanwhile, calcium plays a central role in kidney function, digestion, and most famously, bone health, according to a 2019 review. For that reason, increased calcium intake is typically recommended for people with hypoparathyroidism, malabsorptive bowel disease, and osteoporosis.

High in Magnesium

The Nutrition Source explains that magnesium aids many bodily functions, including regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, muscles and nerves, as well as building proteins and strengthening bones. A diet rich in magnesium may help lower the risk of certain diseases like high blood pressure and migraines. (Clinical trial results are mixed if these benefits can come from supplementation. Therefore, researchers recommend getting magnesium from food.)

Recommended Article Find Straw, Egg, Knife, Sock.

The Downsides

Keep in mind, purslane also contains high levels of oxalates. Oxalates are an organic acid that the human body and many plants produce. However, they are not a required nutrient, and too much may be harmful for certain people. They can bind to other minerals in the digestive system, like calcium oxalate and iron oxalate, which are then eliminated in the stool or urine instead of being absorbed into the body. Additionally, this binding can sometimes form crystals, leading to kidney stones.

People Who Should Avoid Purslane

Therefore, research tends to recommend a low oxalate diet for patients with high levels of this acid in their urine. If you fall into this demographic, or have conditions with a higher risk of kidney stones (such as inflammatory bowel disease or other gut function disorders) speak to a medical professional before adding purslane to your diet.

How to Eat Purslane

This weed is a leafy green that could be cooked or eaten raw. In that way, it’s similar to spinach and Swiss chard; plus, it has a slightly sour flavor. People consume it in salads or sandwiches as they would other leafy vegetables. You can also use it to replace spinach in recipes such as quiche. You can also blend it into a pesto or soup, or use it to flavor stir-fries, meat, and grilled veggies.

How to Grow Purslane

You may have seen this weed in gardens or between sidewalks. Purslane can grow in multiple conditions, including droughts and soil that is salty or lacking in nutrients. So it’s a good choice for experienced and novice gardeners who want ground cover or fill hanging baskets. They don’t need much water despite loving the summer, and can thrive in any well-draining soil. They will bloom in full sunlight, according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and they require about six to eight hours of light a day. Keep in mind, purslane plants are annuals and can’t survive frost, so enjoy your harvest during the warm months.

Have you read them?

Why tourists are being urged not to cancel trips after ‘new Baba Vanga’ predicts catastrophic event in just two months

A newlywed couple was still enjoying their honeymoon phase

Bonnie Blue’s pregnancy update might shock you

Harris Faulkner and Tony Berlin’s lasting love story: How their marriage keeps thriving after 20 years

News Feed

23.05.2025 16:02 Spotlight

Find Straw, Egg, Knife, Sock.

23.05.2025 14:47 Celebrities

Who is Tucker Carlson’s wife? Meet Susan Andrews, his high school sweetheart turned lifelong partner

23.05.2025 14:22 Spotlight

Parents Who Feared COVID Allegedly Confined Children at Home for Years

23.05.2025 14:14 Spotlight

Find 10 differences.

23.05.2025 14:14 Spotlight

Find the missing number

23.05.2025 14:10 Life&Style

Why tourists are being urged not to cancel trips after ‘new Baba Vanga’ predicts catastrophic event in just two months

23.05.2025 14:06 Joke

A newlywed couple was still enjoying their honeymoon phase

23.05.2025 14:03 Celebrities

Bonnie Blue’s pregnancy update might shock you

22.05.2025 22:34 Celebrities

Harris Faulkner and Tony Berlin’s lasting love story: How their marriage keeps thriving after 20 years

22.05.2025 22:28 Celebrities

Pamela Anderson stuns fans after returning to her iconic ’90s look

22.05.2025 22:25 America

Israeli staff shot dead in D.C were young couple set to be engaged

22.05.2025 22:22 Stories

End of life nurse reveals one move people make when close to death

22.05.2025 22:18 Life&Style

Adult star hospitalized after sleeping with 583 men in one day

22.05.2025 22:13 Joke

An American, a Russian, an Arab, and a Punjabi were deep in conversation

22.05.2025 16:53 Spotlight

Which bucket will get filled first? 99% will Fail!

22.05.2025 16:49 Celebrities

David Duchovny Is Married to Longtime Girlfriend Monique Pendleberry

22.05.2025 15:00 Joke

An elderly couple was driving.

22.05.2025 14:57 Celebrities

The View’s Whoopi Goldberg Explains Why She Hasn’t Worn a Bra in 50 Years

22.05.2025 14:54 Stories

Hospice chef reveals the one comfort food most people ask for before they di:e

21.05.2025 23:27 Stories

2-year-old girl killed by her grandpa alongside grandma and dad

21.05.2025 23:20 Celebrities

Tiffany Trump has welcomed her first child

21.05.2025 16:25 Joke

Rough Landing

21.05.2025 16:20 Stories

Officer smashes window to save baby – realizes he’s made a mistake

21.05.2025 16:17 Spotlight

Can you find the mistake?

21.05.2025 16:12 America

High school girl claims first-place podium spot despite losing to trans athlete

21.05.2025 16:08 Spotlight

Only with 10/10 eyes can you see where the 3 pigs are hiding

21.05.2025 16:04 News

‘Cheers’ star George Wendt dies aged 76

20.05.2025 21:35 Stories

Teen Diagnosed with Stage 3 Melanoma at 15 Says Doctors Initially Dismissed Cancer Symptom as Sign of ‘Puberty’

20.05.2025 21:18 Uncategorized

Michelle Williams Recalls Why Living With Ryan Gosling Was ‘Horrible’ Amid ‘Blue Valentine’ Filming

20.05.2025 17:40 Spotlight

What Is the Name of the Fifth Son?

Exit mobile version