Broccoli

Benefits from Broccoli

When it comes to great tasting nutrition, broccoli has a functional food with many health benefits. While low in calories, broccoli is rich in many essential vitamins and minerals, in addition to fiber. Broccoli belongs to a family of vegetables called cruciferous vegetables and its close relatives include Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage. Broccoli is high in sulforophane, a sulfur-containing compound present in cruciferous vegetables. Sulforophane has anti-cancer properties and may promote the elimination of potential carcinogens from the body. Studies suggest that a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk of some cancers, especially stomach and lung cancers.

As if that’s not enough … a cup of cooked broccoli offers as much Vitamin C as an orange, and is very rich in beta carotene. Broccoli contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc too. It is also high in fiber and low in calories.

Broccoli contains phytonutrients (a group of compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes).
It is a natural wonder-drug for many types of cancer, including breast cancer, cancer of uterus, prostrate cancer, cancers of internal organs like lungs, colon, liver, kidneys and cancer of intestines.
Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins A and C antioxidants that protect your body’s cells from damage.
The presence of sulphur and certain amino acids make broccoli a very good detoxifier. It helps remove free radicals and toxins like uric acid from the body.
Broccoli also has as much calcium as milk, and is therefore an important source of nutrition for those who are suffering from calcium deficiencies.
Being rich in fiber, this will also keep away constipation which is very common during pregnancy.
Broccoli has vitamin B complex and vitamin E (the one that gives shine to our skin, hair etc. and revives skin tissues).
Anemia is directly related to lack of iron and certain proteins. Broccoli is rich in both of these and hence forms an excellent remedy for anemia. Eat them and blush!!

It is also useful in other diseases.For example:

1. Weight reduction
2. Anti-aging
3. Prevents arthritis
4. Prevents alzheimer’s disease
5. High Blood Pressure

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm(Broccoli)

Vitamin A 3,500 I.U.
Vitamin B 10 mg
Niacin 1.1 mg
Vitamin C 118 mg
Iron 1.3 mg
Phosphorus 76 mg
Potassium 270 mg
Carbohydrates 5.5 gm
Protein 3.3 gm
Calories 29

Eating Tips: Heavy cooking and processing destroy some of the anti oxidants and phytochemicals such as indoles and glutathione. Eating raw or lightly cooked (as in a microwave or stir-fried).

To reduce its gas production, one should eat broccoli with ginger or garlic