The 6 Health Benefits of Rhubarb

1. Rhubarb is often regarded with a dirty face, especially by young people. Children often dislike the taste, as is often the case with Brussels sprouts. But later in life they can often appreciate these delicacies.

1. Rhubarb is an incredibly versatile vegetable, which you can use very widely. Not only in meals, but also, for example, in savory pies.

2. Rhubarb is an incredibly versatile vegetable, which can be used very widely. Not only in meals, but also, for example, in savory pies.

1. Rhubarb is sometimes described as a fruit, but that is purely due to the taste. It is really a vegetable. In addition, this powerful vegetable is packed with important vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants. All of these offer great health benefits.

2. Rhubarb is sometimes described as a fruit, but that is purely because of the taste. It is really a vegetable. In addition, this powerful vegetable is packed with important vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants. All of these provide great health benefits.

What is rhubarb?

1. Rhubarb is a perennial known for its distinct flavor and vibrant colors. They are short, thick rhizomes and have triangular leaves and brightly colored stems. Although the plant was originally used in many forms of traditional medicine, it has become a popular ingredient in a wide variety of products, including desserts.

1. Rhubarb can be found not only in the supermarket, but also on the market, of course at your greengrocer's around the corner, and in the health food store. Spring is the best time to harvest, in most cases from April to June.

1. The stems are easy to recognize by their bright pink color. But there are also other colors such as light pink or light green. This color has nothing to do with ripeness or sweetness. It's just the color of the rhubarb variety. (1)

1. Only the stems and flowers are edible. This is important to know because the leaves are poisonous.

1. If you eat the pure rhubarb, this vegetable is very spicy. That will also be the reason that the younger generation is not a fan of this healthy vegetable. The sharp taste is therefore not appreciated by everyone, so you will find this vegetable very often in combination with a lot of sugar or sweet fruit, such as strawberries. Although the stem is the most famous edible part, the flowers are also edible. In North Asia, even the unopened flowers are considered a delicacy.

1. Cases of rhubarb poisoning are very rare. But if you grow this vegetable yourself, you have to be careful. Certain parts of the plant can be poisonous.

1. The stems and flowers are the only edible parts, as we had already determined. It is the leaves that contain toxins. The leaves contain poisonous compounds such as oxalic acid and anthraquinone glycosides. The consequences can be quite serious: Problems with breathing, burning sensation in the throat and mouth, nausea, and diarrhea can be the consequences of eating the leaves of the rhubarb plant. (2)

1. Rhubarb contains very few calories. That is good news. In addition, rhubarb contains many important micro-nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin C and manganese.

2. Rhubarb contains very few calories. That is good news. In addition, rhubarb contains many important micro-nutrients such as vitamin K, Vitamin C and manganese.

1. About 120 grams of raw rhubarb contains the following nutrients (3):

The 6 Most Important Health Benefits of Rhubarb

1. The taste of rhubarb takes some getting used to, but especially if you eat it in combination with other vegetables and / or fruit, it is a delicious vegetable which is a welcome addition to your daily diet. There are many health benefits from eating rhubarb regularly.

1. Let's list the 6 most important ones (4):

1. We all know that fiber is good for your digestion. Rhubarb is a perfect source of healthy fiber and will thus effectively help keep your digestive system healthy and healthy. A

1. There was once a study in patients to evaluate how rhubarb could relieve abdominal discomfort so that digestion can take place in a normal way. The study focused solely on reducing bloating, upset stomach, and promoting regular bowel movements.

1. Interestingly, the researchers concluded that rhubarb may help protect the gut wall due to the increased secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. In addition, rhubarb ensures a regular and normal contraction of the gastrointestinal tract. These contractions ensure that the contents are well mixed and can leave the body as a homogeneous, flexible mass.

1. Rhubarb contains a good dose of vitamin K. This vitamin plays a very important role for the health of your bones. Vitamin K may even protect you against osteoporosis. The latter is said to be because vitamin K is essential for the carboxylation of osteocalcin, an important protein hormone involved in bone formation.

1. Vitamin K has a positive effect on bone density, reducing the risk of fractures. This means that this important vitamin can be important in preventing osteoporosis and bone loss.

1. Rhubarb is a great source of antioxidants. In case you don't know, these are very powerful compounds that help fight free radical formation. In this way, the antioxidants help to keep your body healthy, especially your brain.

1. There has been a study of the effect of different concentrations of rhubarb extract on the neuronal damage caused by radiation. Researchers found that the treatment with the rhubarb extract significantly reduced the radiation-induced inflammation in the brain. This could be a sign that the extract can protect your brain from oxidative stress. In turn, this would be good news for preventing brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's. More research is needed, but the starting point is promising.

1. Rhubarb is a vegetable rich in antioxidants, including Quercetin. This is a super antioxidant that gives the rhubarb its characteristic color.

1. An in-depth study of all these elements has been done. In China, researchers completely dissected rhubarb seeds to find and identify all forms of antioxidants. In total, ten different antioxidants have been found, of which the five most important were identified and the amount determined. We know these five under the scientific names Epicatechin, Myricetin, Hyperoside, Quercitrine, and Quercetin. These five are considered the most powerful antioxidants in rhubarb, as they can scavenge most of the total free radical activity.

1. Rhubarb is often regarded as a laxative vegetable and is used to ease bowel movements and promote regularity. It is also a known fact that it also helps to reduce pressure while brushing, so you will have less problems with things like hemorrhoids and / or hairline cracks around the anus.

1. As a herbal remedy, rhubarb can also help treat the discomforts of constipation and diarrhea. Of course you can just eat rhubarb for this, but in most cases this is done by medicinal methods such as tinctures, extracts, and powders made from the roots and stems of the rhubarb.

1. It is very important to do this in close cooperation with a doctor, because an overdose will only make things worse.

1. Rhubarb has been used in Chinese medicine for a long time for its healing properties. Based on this philosophy, rhubarb is believed to help with healthy skin, improve vision, and prevent certain types of cancer. This is all due to the high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in the rhubarb.

1. A Chinese study reports that rhubarb powder may be effective at reducing inflammation and improving prognosis for patients with Systematic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). This is a very serious condition that sometimes occurs in response to trauma or infection.

1. Another study showed that a rhubarb extract promoted surgical wound healing by reducing inflammation and blocking bacterial growth.

How can you eat rhubarb?

1. Because rhubarb itself has a very sharp taste, which many people are not a fan of, it is often combined with sweet ingredients, such as strawberries, to balance the flavors. Everything is possible: Rhubarb pastry, rhubarb cake with strawberries, and even rhubarb bread. This is just a small selection of all the recipes available.

1. Of course you can also eat rhubarb raw, but it is often recommended to cook it anyway to lower the oxalic acid content. (5)

1. There are many ways to prepare rhubarb. You can easily roast, stew or bake rhubarb. Before preparing it, you don't need to peel the stem. However, it is important to trim and clean it properly.

1. There are many recipes available for adding rhubarb to your diet in a simple yet tasty way. From desserts to sauces, baked goods, and much more. The possibilities are truly endless. A

1. If you need a little inspiration, do a quick search on the internet. There you will find an incredible wealth of recipes.

How do you store rhubarb?

1. Fresh rhubarb spoils very quickly, so it is important to store it under the right conditions to delay the shelf life as long as possible. The stems are best stored in a large plastic bag, which you can use to keep in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

1. Another option is to freeze rhubarb. A great option if you don't plan to eat the rhubarb any time soon. To do this, cut the stems into smaller pieces and pack them in a tightly sealed, airtight bag. Once frozen, you can store the rhubarb for up to 1 year. (6)

But beware!

1. As said before, don't eat the leaves. This can lead to poisoning which can have unpleasant consequences, such as gastrointestinal problems. You can also experience more serious problems if you eat the leaves for a longer period of time. Ultimately, the oxalic acid is the culprit. Of course you can lower the oxalic acid by boiling the leaves, but I still advise against it. A

1. If you are pregnant, have kidney disease, or liver problems, it is best to talk to your doctor before taking rhubarb medicinally.

1. In the past, there have been problems with the combination of medicinal rhubarb and some drugs, including diuretics and blood thinners. You can eat the rhubarb stems, but in moderation. But to be absolutely sure, I recommend that you check with your doctor.

Grow your own rhubarb

1. Rhubarb is a perennial plant that is very easy to grow at home. This way you always have them at hand when you need them, or you can stock up on them in your freezer. The rhubarb grows on a short, thick rhizome. These are not roots as we normally imagine. This is a rhizome, which is basically a stem that grows underground. Nothing more and nothing less. The leaves and flower stems naturally develop above the ground. And it is these flower stems that we eat. These can be different colors, from red to pink and even green. This has nothing to do with the ripeness but is just another variant. The red-pink variety is the most popular, probably because they have a better taste. But that is of course very personal.

1. The soil must be completely clean of weeds. Find a place with a lot of sun. The soil should be loose so that it is well drained.

1. Planting can be done in late autumn or early spring. Make sure you put the plants in the ground a good distance, a few centimeters deep. (7)

1. Finish with a layer of straw. This will keep the water in the soil from evaporating unnecessarily, and it will prevent weeds from growing around the rhubarb.

1. It is important to water the new plantings well, especially in the summer period. But that goes without saying. Every plant needs a lot of water in the summer.

1. One of the most common problems in growing rhubarb is crown rot. This is a fungal disease caused by insufficient soil drainage and an abundance of water. That is precisely why it is important to plant in well-drained soil. If necessary, you can plant in a raised bed to minimize the risk of crown rot.

1. Frost can also be a problem. The leaves of the rhubarb plant contain a lot of oxalic acid. This poisonous substance remains in the stems together with frost. This makes the stems black and limp, making them unsuitable for consumption. In other words, throw it away and start over!

1. Also make sure you don't use chemical fertilizers. Use manure or compost that is rich in organic matter. Pure nature. Direct contact between the rhubarb plant and nitrate can even damage the plant, especially in the first year when the plant is not yet at full strength.

1. When harvesting, the stems are carefully cut from the plant. Remove the poisonous leaves immediately and throw them away. In the first year you generally do not have a harvest. Only from the second, or even third, year will you have a good and abundant harvest.

1. As mentioned, it is the best way to start harvesting from the second year on. This will make the plant strong and will be much more productive in the long run.

1. Harvesting itself takes place from April to June. In the second year, you can harvest for about four weeks. From the third year then the harvest can take up to ten weeks. (8)

1. At some point, at the end of June, you have to stop harvesting. Harvesting too late will reduce your yield for the following year. Not only in quantity, but above all in quality.

Finallyâ €!

1. Rhubarb is a vegetable that is known for its distinct sharp taste and brightly colored stems. Some people don't like rhubarb, but plant them in the garden anyway. No wonder, of course, because with the brightly colored stems and large leaves it is an asset to your garden.

1. I would like to point out again that only the stems and the flowers are edible. The leaves are considered poisonous and can be harmful to your health.

1. And do you know what is best of all? You can easily grow rhubarb yourself to eat straight from the garden. You can also stock up in your freezer. You can't get better than that!

1. Do you eat rhubarb regularly? What is your recipe for preparing the rhubarb? Do you have experience with growing rhubarb yourself? Share your experiences with us in the comments below!