Health benefits of broccoli – So when was the last time your parents forced to eat a bowl full of broccoli? Childhood perhaps or in teens but instead of avoiding the green and leafy veggie, this vegetable is a source of power packed with nutrients.
So when was the last time your parents forced to eat a bowl full of broccoli?
Childhood perhaps or in teens but instead of avoiding the green and leafy veggie, this vegetable is a source of power packed with nutrients.
Broccoli is mainly known to benefit digestion, the cardiovascular system and the immune system plus also have a major impact in the anti-inflammatory and even cancer-preventing properties.
Furthermore, broccoli is low in sodium and calories, which serves 31 calories per serving thus making it a ‘fat-free’ vegetable.
If these nutrients weren’t enough, it also comes with phytochemicals and antioxidants. The Phytochemicals are chemicals in plants that are responsible for colour, smell and flavour and beneficial in numerous healthy ways. Phytochemicals present in broccoli are good for the immune system. They include glucobrassicin; carotenoids, such as zeaxanthin and beta-carotene; and kaempferol, a flavonoid.
Thus, we present 7 health benefits of broccoli that are just too good to be ignored:
Nervous system
While having broccoli that contains a high amount of potassium, it helps in maintaining a healthy nervous system and best possible brain function. Moreover, it also helps in promoting regular muscle growth making it an essential must have after workouts.
Blood pressure
Along with a high amount of potassium, Broccoli also said to contain a high amount of magnesium and calcium that are necessary to stabilize blood pressure in your body.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital for our body and mass growth. With a cup of broccoli, it serves you a RDA of vitamin C, an antioxidant compulsory for fighting against free radicals. Plus, Vitamin C is a valuable antihistamine for thwarting away the problems of cold.
Bone health
Calcium is a must to build on strong bones in the body and it is provided by the consumption of broccoli that contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K. These nutrients are necessary for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.
Sun damage
Avoid those sun-skin protection lotions and start eating broccoli. This is because it is helpful in repairing skin damage thanks to the glucoraphanin which helps the skin to detoxify and fix itself.
Immune system
Here’s the deal, a cup of broccoli strengthens the immune system with some extra dose of beta-carotene. Minerals such as zinc and selenium, which are also present in it, further act to strengthen the immune defense actions.
Cancer prevention
If there’s cancer detection, one is advised to include broccoli in their diet since it contains glucoraphanin, which processes into the anti-cancer compound called sulforaphane. This compound clears the body of H. pylori, a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer.
