Q: I was wondering if purslane contains omega-3s. My girlfriend grows it and says she read that it is a source of omega-3 properties. Does it matter if you eat it raw or cooked? How much does one need to eat to enjoy its omega-3 benefits?
Thank you, Kate
Dear Kate,
A: Purslane does contain omega-3 fatty acid, but only as the short chain alpha linolenic acid (ALA), which is inefficiently transformed into EPA and DHA. Because the amount of ALA is low, you would have to eat pounds of purslane to see any benefits. But it remains an excellent food source that has a low glycemic load, especially when cooked. By the way, 1/2 cup cooked has less than 2 grams of carbohydrate.