Broccoli (resembling tiny green trees), a member of the cruciferous family, is a highly nutritious food option. It is packed with loads of fiber, vitamins and nutrients that help in overall health of the body. If you are trying to eat healthy, do not forget to add this “healthy veggie” to your grocery list.
Let us have a look at some of the amazing healthy benefits offered by broccoli:
1 . Detoxifies The Body
Glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiin and glucobrassicin are special phytonutrients that support all steps in the body’s detox process, including activation, neutralization and elimination of unwanted contaminants. These three are in the perfect combination in broccoli.
2 . Aids Weight Loss
Broccoli is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating. A cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.
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3 . Acts As An Anti-oxidant
Of all the cruciferous vegetables, broccoli stands out as the most concentrated source of vitamin C, plus the flavonoids necessary for vitamin C to get utilized in the body. Also concentrated in broccoli are the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, other powerful antioxidants.
4 . Helps Prevent Cancers
Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which the body processes into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane. This compound rids the body of H. pylori, a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a powerful antioxidant compound and anti-carcinogen that hinders the growth of breast, cervical and prostate cancer.
5 . Reduces Inflammation
Broccoli is a particularly rich source of kaempferol and isothiocyanates, both anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. Research has shown the ability of kaempferol to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. Broccoli even has significant amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are well known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
6 . Promotes Heart Health
The anti-inflammatory properties of sulforaphane, one of the isothiocyanates (ITCs) in broccoli, may be able to prevent (or even reverse) some of the damage to blood vessel linings that can be caused by inflammation due to chronic blood sugar problems.
So go ahead and make sure you make use of this wonder vegetable fresh and crisp. It is recommended to store it in your vegetable crisper, unwashed in a perforated bag, and try to use within a few days.