What is Rhubarb?
Rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum) is a leafy vegetable with dark green leaves. This vegetable has large triangular-shaped leaves with long, fleshy petioles (stalks). The stalks can be long from 6 to 12 inches. Only the stalks of the vegetable are eatable. Leaves are not eatable because they contain oxalic acid which is poisonous. You can consume the stalks raw, or to cook delicious compote and jams with them. Stalks can be also consumed sweetened. Next, you can make a pie with them or different sauces for the meat.
Dietary fiber, proteins, vitamins C, K, B-complex, potassium, calcium, manganese and magnesium are very important for the overall health of the organism. Rhubarb contains all of this. This vegetable has large triangular-shaped leaves with long, fleshy petioles. Besides these healthy ingredients, it is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. In addition, read more about the nutritional value of rhubarb and for what it is good for.
Weight loss
This vegetable is poor in calorie. Only 1/2 cup of this vegetable contains 21 calories. This makes it a perfect food for people who want to lose weight. It also boosts the metabolism which is beneficial for maintaining good body shape.
Heart and blood vessels disease
This leafy vegetable is very poor in fats and cholesterol. It is very helpful if you suffer from LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). You may already know that high level of LDL cholesterol leads to heart or brain attack. Rhubarb can make a balance between the LDL and HDL cholesterols. It increases the concentration of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and decreases the concentration of LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, it is rich in antioxidants which are good for the fight against the free radicals.
Digestion and circulation
Rhubarb is very good for digestion. It can be used as a laxative, against constipation. In small doses, it also can relief diarrhea. For good blood circulation, microelements such as copper and iron are elementary because they take a part in the process of creating red blood cells. Guess what? This vegetable has the both.
Rhubarb against Alzheimer’s disease
The most important vitamin in rhubarb is often neglected vitamin K, which is responsible for neurological health. This vitamin stimulates the cognitive function of the brain and thereby reduces the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In combination with calcium, this vegetable has a positive effect on the bones strength.
Rhubarb fights against breast cancer
This vegetable is a real super food. It became a real candidate among the foods which can prevent the development of cancer cells. Rhubarb is rich in polyphenols – substances that can destroy the cancer cells. The level of polyphenols drastically increases if you bake it.
Now when you found out all benefits of this vegetable let see how to prepare sweetened rhubarb. So first of all before cooking, you should clean all external hard fibers from the stalks. Then cut the stalks into pieces, each one with a width of 1 inch. Put them in a pot with water and boil them with a brown sugar. For 4 cups rhubarb add 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Cook until the rhubarb get soft.
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