Did you know these lesser known facts about plants?
Our world is filled with the wonders of plants. We have lived and thrived alongside these creations for ages. But did you know some of these lesser known facts about them?
Did you know these lesser known facts about plants?
Our world is filled with the wonders of plants. We have lived and thrived alongside these creations for ages. Plants provide us with oxygen and are a great source of food. They are also the main producers of every ecosystem, and many animals, fungi and other plants rely on them to survive.
But did you know some of these lesser known facts about them?
1. These nuts aren’t nuts!
Almonds, cashews, walnuts and peanuts aren’t nuts! Peanuts belong to the legume family and are more closely related to peas. Almonds and cashews are the seeds of “drupes”, which are actually a type of fruit. Researchers are still unsure whether walnuts are seeds or drupes as they both contain characteristics of either.
All the above are categorized as culinary nuts as they have a similar texture to true nuts, like Hazelnuts, Chestnuts and even Acorns!
Another fact that might blow your mind is that true nuts are actually dry fruit. True nuts remain indehiscent, meaning they do not open to release their seed when mature. True nuts develop from a single ovary and are encased in a hard shell.
2. Avocados only ripen after being picked
Avocados are climacteric fruits, which means they only ripen after being picked from the tree. While on the tree, they remain hard and unripe, even when they reach full size.
Their ripening process begins once they are harvested. After being plucked, avocados release ethylene, a natural plant hormone that accelerates ripening. The gas can be artificially introduced to the plant to speed up the ripening process.
Fun Tip: To speed up avocado ripening at home, place them in a paper bag with an ethylene-producing fruit like a banana or apple. This traps the gas and helps the avocado ripen faster.
3. Broccolis are Flower heads
You might not think of it while eating broccoli, but if you notice their shape it makes sense. I’ve always thought they look like small trees.
Broccoli is technically a flower bud. The part we eat is an immature inflorescence - a flower head made up of tightly packed flower buds.
As the broccoli plant matures, the flower buds will open into yellow flowers if left on the plant. We usually eat them before they are fully mature.
Broccoli plants go through several stages - leaves and stems first, then the tight green head, followed by the flowering stage with tall stalks and open yellow flowers.
If broccoli plants experience warm weather before the head is fully formed, they may start flowering prematurely. This is called "bolting". If broccoli does bolt and flower, the leaves and flowers are still edible and nutritious. You can also harvest the main head before it fully opens.
4. Kiwis have more Vitamin C than Oranges
We have been given the idea that Oranges are the fruit ambassadors for Vitamin C, even though there are tons of other fruits that provide significantly more Vitamin C.
Take Kiwis for example. Kiwis are an excellent source of Vitamin C, with 92.7mg per 100g - 106% more than orange's 45mg. Kiwis also have 25% more dietary fiber than oranges and are a better source for Vitamin K and potassium.
However, Oranges have Kiwis beat at calcium and thiamin (vitamin b1). Calcium supports bone growth while thiamin helps the body break down carbohydrates and supports nervous system and brain functions.
5. Pineapples take 2 years to grow
Pineapples can take 2-3 years to fully develop their fruit. There are also ornamental pineapple varieties that produce smaller, more acidic fruits.
These unique, spiky fruits are native to the tropical Americas and are relatively easy to grow as long as their growing conditions are met.
Pineapples can be planted in pots or directly in the ground. They prefer sunny areas with some shade and well-drained soil.
While they may be easy to grow, they take a very long time to produce fruit. It is important to appreciate the hard work of the farmers the next time you eat pineapple!
6. Flaxseeds contain 800 times more lignan than any other food
Why is lignan important? Science has found out that these phytoestrogens in some plants are one of nature's best defenses against cancer. And it is none other than the superfood flaxseed that contains the most amount of lignan so far.
Apart from cancer prevention, lignan also has anti-inflammatory properties and is essential for balancing hormones such as reducing menopause symptoms. Lignan has also been found to boost heart health.
All these benefits come together to make flaxseeds an essential superfood for your diet.
7. Potatoes have more potassium than bananas
Just like how oranges are stereotypically viewed to contain the most Vitamin C (even though that is not true), bananas have long been associated with potassium.
However, certain plant-based foods like potatoes and even watermelons have bananas beat at their potassium value.
Here is a list of the amount of potassium you can get for each of these foods:
1 medium banana has about 422mg of potassium.
1 potato has 610mg of potassium, about 40% more than a banana.
2 wedges of watermelon (1/8 of a melon) has 640mg of potassium, about 52% more than a banana.
3 cups of fresh spinach contains 558mg of potassium, about 25% more than a banana.
1 cup of beets has 518mg of potassium, about 23% more than a banana.
1/2 an avocado provides 487mg of potassium, about 15% more than a banana.
8. Sulforaphane in broccoli protects DNA from damage
Also found is Brussel sprouts, this phytochemical also has cancer preventing properties, on top of protecting your DNA from damage (which is a known cause for cancer).
This chemical also slows the growth of tumors and is excellent at cleansing toxins and free radicals which can accelerate aging.
It is preferable to eat your broccoli raw or steamed rather than fried as this preserves the chemical better.
9. Leafy Greens are great for detoxifying mind and body
Leafy greens like kale, spinach, collard greens, and broccoli are excellent at healing the body. They are an excellent source of folate which helps boost dopamine and serotonin, natural chemicals known to balance mood.
Researchers recently discovered a gene in us called T-bet which gets activated by eating leafy green vegetables. Once activated, T-bet helps your gut produce immune cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which protect against gut diseases and helps build a strong gut microbiome to aid in digestion.
The chlorophyll which is found in leafy greens (the same chemical that turns sunlight to food for plants) is also great at detoxifying the gut by helping the liver produce glutathione.
10. Chia Seeds contain more Omega-3s than Salmon
Like many food stereotypes, many are under the impression that salmon provides the most Omega-3s. However, Chia Seeds have Salmon beat at this.
Chia Seeds have more ALA (alpha linoleic acid) Omega-3s than salmon when comparing 100 grams, but salmon has higher amounts of DHA, EPA, and DPA, which are the other important types of omega-3s. However, the overall amount found in Chia Seeds is actually higher than salmon, which can be a shock for some.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential at many things, namely improving heart and brain health. When the ALA is converted to DHA Omega-3s, these help build brain cells which are important for storing memory and maintaining focus.
Links to resources:
Cashews and almonds aren’t technically nuts. So what are they?
4 Simple Ways to Ripen Avocados (and 1 Myth)
Is Broccoli Really a Flower Head?
Container Gardening: All About the Pineapple
Flax Seeds 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
5 Foods Higher in Potassium Than a Banana
Sulforaphane benefits: How broccoli and Brussels sprouts may help reduce your cancer risk