Cruciferous items, including watercress, Chinese cabbage, collard greens, kale and arugula — as well as leafy greens, like chard, beet greens, spinach, chicory and leaf lettuce — took the top spots on the list.

Yellow and orange foods, like carrots, tomatoes, winter squash and sweet potatoes — along with allium, citrus and berry croups — landed in the bottom half.

2 SURPRISING FOODS FOR FALL THAT ARE DELICIOUS, HEALTHY AND EASY TO PREPARE

When it comes to the top veggie, watercress, nutritionists agree that it has a multitude of health benefits.

1. Rich in nutrients and low in calories

Watercress has “remarkable levels” of vitamins K, A, C and B, as well as magnesium, calcium and potassium, according to Serena Poon, certified nutritionist and celebrity longevity advisor in Los Angeles.

Vitamin K, calcium and magnesium are great for bone health, Poon told Fox News Digital, while vitamin C supports immune health, collagen production and skin radiance.

Watercress has “remarkable levels” of vitamins K, A, C and B, as well as magnesium, calcium and potassium, according to a nutrition expert. (iStock)

“Watercress may be tiny, but it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can find,” Poon said. 

“Plus, since it’s low in calories, you get all these benefits without adding much to your daily caloric intake.”

Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein agreed, telling Fox News Digital that consumers can get more than 50% of their daily value of vitamins C, A and K in three cups of watercress.

2. Supports heart health

Watercress is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress – two “key contributors” to heart disease, Poon noted.

The vegetable also contains compounds like beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, which support heart health and improve blood vessel function.

“Greens are numero uno when it comes to healthy food.”

“Additionally, the nitrates in watercress are known to lower blood pressure, further protecting your cardiovascular system,” Poon added.

“Adding watercress to your meals could be a simple yet powerful way to give your heart some extra support.”

Watercress is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress – two “key contributors” to heart disease, an expert noted. (iStock)

All dark greens and cruciferous veggies contain “powerful levels of antioxidants, but typically get overshadowed by other things like berries,” according to Muhlstein.

“Greens are numero uno when it comes to healthy food,” she said.

3. Could reduce cancer risk 

As powerhouse vegetables are strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk, watercress could also reduce cancer risk, according to Poon.

ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS MAKE UP 60% OF AMERICA’S DIET, WHO’S AT BIGGEST RISK

“Watercress contains powerful phytochemicals, including glucosinolates, which have been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth,” she said.

“When you chew watercress, these glucosinolates are converted into isothiocyanates, compounds that have been studied for their anti-cancer properties.” 

As powerhouse vegetables are strongly associated with reduced chronic disease risk, watercress could also reduce cancer risk, experts say. (iStock)

Previous research has suggested that watercress may help prevent DNA damage and reduce the risk of certain cancers, particularly those affecting the lungs and digestive tract, Poon added.

4. Encourages hormone balance

Nutrient-rich watercress can also support hormone health through its high levels of B vitamins, calcium and magnesium.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

These nutrients “play roles in neurotransmitter balance, stress response and metabolic function, which are all vital for maintaining hormonal equilibrium,” Poon told Fox News Digital.

Watercress’ antioxidant properties could also help to reduce inflammation, “an underlying factor that can disrupt hormone balance,” an expert noted. (iStock)

5. Aids in detoxification and liver health

The natural compounds in watercress, like sulfur, can enhance the body’s natural detoxification process and support liver function, according to Poon.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews/health

“This leafy green can help support the liver’s ability to filter toxins and promote the elimination of waste products, making it a great addition to any detox-supportive diet,” she said.

6. Supports skin health

Watercress can also give the skin a natural glow, Poon noted, as antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene and lutein support skin elasticity and radiance.

“Vitamin C, in particular, is essential for collagen production, which helps maintain skin firmness and can reduce the appearance of fine lines,” she added.

“Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders and thyroid disease,” he continued.

FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS EPA FURTHER REGULATE FLUORIDE IN DRINKING WATER DUE TO CONCERNS OVER LOWERED IQ IN KIDS

Some health professionals and expert groups have spoken against RFK’s comments, stating that fluoride should still be added to drinking water.

Here’s what to know about the controversy.

Why is fluoride added to water?

“Fluoride is an element that in some places can be found naturally in water and may also be added by drinking water systems to promote strong teeth and prevent tooth decay, especially in children,” the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told Fox News Digital in a statement.

Fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities by 25% in children and adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA sets limits on what is allowed and what is recommended to prevent negative impacts of excess fluoride on the bones and teeth of young children.

The optimal level of fluoride concentration in drinking water is 0.7 milligrams per liter of water – equivalent to approximately three drops in a 55-gallon barrel, per the CDC.

‘IS IT SAFE TO DRINK TAP WATER?’: ASK A DOCTOR

Approximately 75% of Americans – roughly 209 million people — receive fluoridated water from community water systems, according to the above source.

Fluoride was first added to water in communities in 1945, with Grand Rapids, Michigan, becoming the world’s first city to do so — a move that the CDC has called one of the biggest public health interventions of the 20th century.

Potentially harmful effects

Many communities across the world – more than 240 – choose not to fluorinate their drinking water, reports show.

A recent review published in Cochrane Reviews found that adding the mineral to water may have only a slight benefit against tooth decay because people now brush with toothpaste containing fluoride.

The study also revealed some evidence that fluoridated water may increase the risk of dental fluorosis, which can cause white specks or a lacy appearance on the teeth.

Approximately 75% of Americans – roughly 209 million people — receive fluoridated water from community water systems. (iStock)

In 2015, government officials decreased the recommended amount of fluoride in drinking water after some children developed white splotches on their teeth, according to a previous report.

Research also shows that fluoride exposure can harm a fetus during pregnancy.

“There have been numerous studies conducted in North America linking chronic, low-level prenatal fluoride exposure with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes in the realm of intellectual functioning, attention, executive function and neurobehavior,” Ashley Malin, PhD, told Fox News Digital in an email.

ASK A DOCTOR: ‘CAN I BE DEHYDRATED EVEN IF I’M NOT THIRSTY?’

Malin, who researches the potential effects of fluoride on brain development, is an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine.

The National Institutes of Health’s toxicology program also found in a review earlier this year that drinking water with twice the amount of recommended fluoride levels is associated with lower IQ in children.

“Demineralization is natural due to our daily habits and food/drink consumption, and fluoride … helps tip the scale toward remineralization.”

But some associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have concerns about how the study was conducted, stating there was insufficient data to determine if the recommended levels of fluoride in water (of 0.7 milligrams per liter) had a negative effect on children’s IQs.

Experts urge healthy habits

While there are anecdotal reports from people who claim that fluoridated water has caused health issues — including bone cancer, arthritis and kidney disease — research studies to support these claims are not definitive, according to Healthline.

Some experts claim there is not enough evidence to change the recommendations about fluoride.

“The concept of tooth remineralization is still at the core of this fluoride discussion,” Dr. Tien Jiang, assistant professor of oral health policy and epidemiology at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, told Fox News Digital.

Fluoridated water may increase the risk of dental fluorosis, which can cause white specks or a lacy appearance on the teeth, some studies have shown. (iStock)

“Demineralization (loss of minerals) is natural due to our daily habits and food/drink consumption, and fluoride, along with other minerals, helps tip the scale toward remineralization.”

Jiang urges people to be mindful of their home care habits, diet and regular dental visits.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“To me, the focus is sometimes misplaced,” she said.

“If we all focused on more effective brushing and flossing techniques and eating and drinking habits, the majority of the dental diseases would be preventable, regardless of fluoride.”

EPA ordered to take action

In late September, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen ruled there is enough evidence of potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water for the EPA to enact further regulations, the AP reported.

“If we all focused on more effective brushing and flossing techniques and eating and drinking habits, the majority of the dental diseases would be preventable, regardless of fluoride,” an expert said. (iStock)

“EPA is in the process of reviewing the district court’s decision,” the agency said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health

“While the decision finds a risk sufficient to trigger regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act, it is important to note that the court does not ‘conclude with certainty that fluoridated water is injurious to public health,’ and defers to EPA’s expertise as to how to evaluate and regulate fluoride appropriately moving forward,” the agency continued.

Fox News Digital reached out to RFK Jr.’s representatives for comment.