This Aquatic Veggie Was Just Named the Healthiest of All by the CDC

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released its 2024 ranking of “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables (PFVs). The list ranks more than 40 of the most nutrient-rich fruits and veggies.

Watercress took top honors as the most nutritious vegetable, scoring 100 out of 100. Chinese cabbage came in a fairly close second, scoring 91.99. Chard (89.27), beet greens (87.08), and spinach (86.43) rounded out the top five.

Watercress is high in vitamin A, which aids in keeping vision sharp and organs healthy, as well as vitamin C which supports your immune system. It’s also packed with beta-carotene and other carotenoids which can decrease cancer risk; and calcium, potassium, and magnesium to aid in bone health.

Each of the 41 fruits and veggies included on the PFVs ranking contains 17 nutrients, including calcium, fiber, folate, iron, niacin, potassium, protein, riboflavin, thiamin, and zinc, as well as vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and K.

Cruciferous greens chicory (73.36), leaf lettuce (70.73), parsley (65.59), romaine lettuce (63.48), and collard greens (62.49) finished out the top ten. Other yellow and orange items, like carrots, tomatoes, and all varieties of winter squash placed further down the list. Leek (10.69), sweet potato (10.51), and white grapefruit (10.47) took the final three spots on the list.

The CDC also tested blueberry, cranberry, garlic, onion, raspberry, and tangerine, but those items didn’t meet the criteria for PFVs.

You can check out the CDC’s full PFVs ranking here.