Kale vs. Watercress

Nutrition comparison of Kale and Watercress


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of kale versus watercress (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in kale and watercress:

  • Both kale and watercress are high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium and potassium.
  • Kale has more riboflavin, niacin and folate.
  • Kale has signficantly more iron than watercress.
  • Kale is an excellent source of dietary fiber.
  • Watercress has 69% less calories than kale.
Detailed nutritional comparison of kale and watercress is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Kale (Kale, raw) and Watercress (Watercress, raw) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Kale src
Image of Watercress src

Here's an infographic summarizing the nutritional differences between kale and watercress. marks particularly rich nutrients.


Calories and Carbs

calories

Watercress has 69% less calories than kale - kale has 35 calories per 100 grams and watercress has 11 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, kale is much lighter in protein, heavier in carbs and much heavier in fat compared to watercress per calorie. Kale has a macronutrient ratio of 27:41:32 and for watercress, 60:34:6 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Kale Watercress
Protein 27% 60%
Carbohydrates 41% 34%
Fat 32% 6%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Both kale and watercress are low in carbohydrates - kale has 4.4g of total carbs per 100 grams and watercress has 1.3g of carbohydrates.

The carbs in kale are made of 81% dietary fiber and 19% sugar, whereas the carbs in watercress comprise of 71% dietary fiber and 29% sugar.

dietary fiber

Kale is an excellent source of dietary fiber and it has 720% more dietary fiber than watercress - kale has 4.1g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and watercress has 0.5g of dietary fiber.

sugar

Kale and watercress contain similar amounts of sugar - kale has 0.99g of sugar per 100 grams and watercress has 0.2g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Kale and watercress contain similar amounts of protein - kale has 2.9g of protein per 100 grams and watercress has 2.3g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Both kale and watercress are low in saturated fat - kale has 0.18g of saturated fat per 100 grams and watercress has 0.03g of saturated fat.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Both kale and watercress are high in Vitamin C. Kale has 117% more Vitamin C than watercress - kale has 93.4mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and watercress has 43mg of Vitamin C.

Vitamin A

Both kale and watercress are high in Vitamin A. Kale has 51% more Vitamin A than watercress - kale has 241ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and watercress has 160ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin E

Kale and watercress contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - kale has 0.66mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and watercress has 1mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Both kale and watercress are high in Vitamin K. Kale has 56% more Vitamin K than watercress - kale has 389.6ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and watercress has 250ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Kale has more riboflavin, niacin and folate. Both kale and watercress contain significant amounts of thiamin, pantothenic acid and Vitamin B6.

Kale Watercress
Thiamin 0.113 MG 0.09 MG
Riboflavin 0.347 MG 0.12 MG
Niacin 1.18 MG 0.2 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.37 MG 0.31 MG
Vitamin B6 0.147 MG 0.129 MG
Folate 62 UG 9 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both kale and watercress are high in calcium. Kale has 112% more calcium than watercress - kale has 254mg of calcium per 100 grams and watercress has 120mg of calcium.

iron

Kale has signficantly more iron than watercress - kale has 1.6mg of iron per 100 grams and watercress has 0.2mg of iron.

potassium

Both kale and watercress are high in potassium. Kale has a little more potassium (5%) than watercress by weight - kale has 348mg of potassium per 100 grams and watercress has 330mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

flavonoids

Naturally occuring in fruits and vegetables, flavonoids are associated with many health benefits and used in a variety of medicinal and pharmaceutical applications. [2][3]

For specific flavonoid compounds, both kale and watercress contain significant amounts of quercetin.

Kale Watercress
isorhamnetin 23.6 mg ~
kaempferol 46.8 mg 23.03 mg
Quercetin 22.58 mg 29.99 mg
apigenin ~ 0.01 mg
luteolin ~ 0.02 mg
myricetin ~ 0.2 mg

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids, both kale and watercress contain significant amounts of beta-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin.

Kale Watercress
beta-carotene 2873 UG 1914 UG
lutein + zeaxanthin 6261 UG 5767 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, kale has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than watercress per 100 grams.

Kale Watercress
alpha linoleic acid 0.378 G 0.023 G
Total 0.378 G 0.023 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, kale has more linoleic acid than watercress per 100 grams.

Kale Watercress
linoleic acid 0.291 G 0.012 G
other omega 6 0.003 G ~
Total 0.294 G 0.012 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Kale or Watercress .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Kale (Kale, raw) and Watercress (Watercress, raw) .

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FAQ

Does kale or watercress contain more calories in 100 grams?
Watercress has 70% less calories than kale - kale has 35 calories in 100g and watercress has 11 calories.

Is kale or watercress better for protein?
Kale and watercress contain similar amounts of protein - kale has 2.9g of protein per 100 grams and watercress has 2.3g of protein.

Does kale or watercress have more carbohydrates?
By weight, both kale and watercress are low in carbohydrates - kale has 4.4g of carbs for 100g and watercress has 1.3g of carbohydrates. the carbs in kale are made of 80% dietary fiber and 20% sugar, whereas the carbs in watercress comprise of 70% dietary fiber and 30% sugar.

Does kale or watercress contain more calcium?
Both kale and watercress are high in calcium. Kale has 110% more calcium than watercress - kale has 254mg of calcium in 100 grams and watercress has 120mg of calcium.

Does kale or watercress contain more potassium?
Both kale and watercress are high in potassium. Kale has a little more potassium ( 10%) than watercress by weight - kale has 348mg of potassium in 100 grams and watercress has 330mg of potassium.