November 07, 2014
The Best Dairy-Free Ways to Get More Calcium #16: Arugula
Arugula is one of those leafy greens I've never quite accustomed to eating. The oddly bitter taste of this leafy veggie throws off the simple flavor of my salads, but it's evidently one of the healthiest vegetables I can add to my diet.
A single cup of arugula contains 125 milligrams of calcium--roughly 12% of the calcium you need every day. A salad made with three cups of arugula in place of lettuce would give you about 40% of your calcium DV in a single meal.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Source: www.cookthink.com[/caption]
Arugula--also called eruca sativa--offers a wide range of health benefits, including:

- Reducing cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels
- Fighting cancer thanks to the antioxidants and glucosinolates it contains
- Provides a lot of chlorophyll
- Is composed of 90% water, thus is very hydrating
- Reduces inflammation in your body
- Improves bone health thanks to not just the calcium, but also the Vitamin K it contains
- Detoxifies the body
- Promotes weight loss