What is Broccoli?
Broccoli is known to be a green plant from the cabbage family and is also a superfood. It is known to be the healthiest cruciferous vegetables from which large flowering head is often eaten. It is mostly consumed as boiled or steamed, but can also be eaten as raw.
Broccoli is one of those vegetables that is equally hearty, tasty as well as rich in nutrients. If you think to include any green vegetable in your diet, Broccoli should be the foremost vegetable. It can easily be categorize as an edible green plant and also belongs to the cabbage family. Eating Broccoli is never a bad idea as parents always used to say. It includes major nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin A, folic acid as well as calcium and fiber.
Some of the interesting health benefits of Broccoli are described below:
1. Cancer Prevention
Broccoli has cancer-fighting and other immune boosting properties similar to other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts as well as cabbage. It also contains properties that do deplete estrogen that is responsible for causing cancer in the body. Researches indicate that broccoli is also suitable for the prevention of breast and uterus cancer. Sulforaphane present in Broccoli helps in supporting normal cell function and division and also promotes apoptosis in cancer cells. As per research, even 3 servings of broccoli a week can cut the risk of cancer by 60 percent.
2. Aids Cholesterol reduction
Broccoli is also packed with soluble fiber just like other whole foods that help in drawing cholesterol out of your body. Reason for this is that the fiber present in broccoli would help it bind with the bile acids that are present in the digestive tract. Thereby, it would help in excreting cholesterol out of your body easily. As per the studies conducted by the Institute of food and Research, a particular type of broccoli can also help in reducing the blood LDL-cholesterol levels by almost 6 percent.
3. Helps in reducing allergic reactions and inflammation
Earlier studies have proven that Kaempferol has the ability to decrease the impact of allergy-related substances on your body. Broccoli contains a significant amount of omega 3 fatty acids, which are a well known anti-inflammatory substance. An additional benefit of broccoli is that it also helps people who are suffering from arthritis as it contains Sulforaphane. Sulforaphane is a chemical that helps in blocking the enzymes that cause joint destruction and thereby lead to inflammation.
4. Detoxification of Body
A substance called sulforaphane present in broccoli helps in protecting the aerobic cells against damage by inducing a network of detoxification enzymes. Moreover, it also suppresses the inflammatory responses. As per the studies conducted, individuals who had consumed broccoli sprout could be found with higher levels of detoxification. The individuals on whom the tests were conducted could see that their blood levels of benzene and acrolein do decrease post the experiment.
5. Bone Health
Broccoli helps in keeping your bones healthy since it contains high levels of both Calcium as well as Vitamin K. Both Calcium and Vitamin K are important for bone health and also prevention of osteoporosis. Not only Calcium but broccoli is also full of some other nutrients like magnesium, zinc along with phosphorous. All these properties make broccoli very suitable for children, elderly people as well as lactating mothers.
6. Heart Health
Due to the presence of sulforaphane, one of the isothiocyanates (ITCs) in broccoli, it serves the purpose of preventing the damage to blood vessel linings that can merely be caused by inflammation because of chronic blood sugar issues. Moreover, Broccoli is a great veggie for heart health as it has fibers, fatty acids as well as vitamins that regulate blood pressure in the body. This reduces bad cholesterol, thereby leading to a healthy heart. Broccoli also protects your blood vessels from the damage.
7. Improves Digestion
Broccoli is a good carb source and also rich in fiber has multiple benefits. It helps in digestion, prevents constipation, helps in maintaining low blood sugar, and also curbs overeating. As an added advantage Broccoli also helps in weight loss because of being rich in fiber. You can also include this vegetable in your salads and this would complete your five colored vegetables every day. Additionally, broccoli contains proteins that give vegetarians their requirements of protein.
8. Skin care
Broccoli not only has effects on the internal body but also on your skin as well. Broccoli being a powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients like Vitamin C and minerals such as copper and zinc thereby helps in maintaining a healthy skin. Broccoli also protects your skin from getting any infections and also helps in maintaining the natural glow of your skin. Since, Broccoli is full of Vitamin K, amino acids and also folates, these things make it ideal for maintaining healthy skin immunity.
