No matter how much you hate vegetables, there is no denying that they are more nutritious than any other food on the planet earth.
Even among vegetables, the competition of being more nutritious has won by none other than the nutritious broccoli.
Broccoli is associated with the family of cruciferous vegetables.
It is filled with many essential nutrients and vitamins.
Benefits Of Broccoli – 10 Reasons To Eat Broccoli Every Day
#1. Contains Strong Antioxidants
Antioxidants are incredibly crucial for our body. They protect us from various diseases and help our skins rejuvenate. Antioxidants also help our bodies in preventing cell damage that happened by free radicals. Broccoli has the highest number of antioxidants than any other vegetable or fruit. The most prevalent antioxidant is SULFORAPHANE, which is produced from a compound called GLUCORAPHANIN. Sulforaphane has multiple health benefits, including many health benefits like reducing blood sugar, cholesterol levels, oxidative stress, and lasting disease progress.
Another vital antioxidant that you will get from broccoli is LUTEIN and ZEAXANTHIN. These two antioxidants help inhibit oxidative stress and cellular damage in the eyes, such as cataracts and muscular degeneration.
#2. Protect against cancer
There is no doubt that no superfood on the planet earth can help us prevent or eliminate cancer. The least these superfoods could do is prevent it from developing and inhibiting its risk factors. This is all we need to stop cancer from entering and growing in our bodies.
Luckily, broccoli serves as a lifesaver when it comes to preventing cancer. It contains a key phytochemical known as SULFORAPHANE. The bitter flavor of broccoli is due to this chemical compound. A vital function of sulforaphane is increasing the detoxification of airborne toxins, for instance, cigarette smoke. It also assists in the reduction of the risk of developing certain cancers. However, more research is needed to prove the anti-cancer properties of broccoli.
They also possess bioactive compounds that help in reducing the cell damage that has occurred by chronic disease. A new wave of study has suggested that cruciferous veggies like broccoli help protect many cancer types such as breast cancer, prostate, gastric, colorectal, kidney, and bladder cancer.
#3. It makes the heart healthier and happier
Broccoli makes the heart healthier in several ways. Firstly, it lowers the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, which can be extremely dangerous for the heart.
A study has also found improvements in acceptable cholesterol levels of individuals treated with broccoli powdered supplements. The presence of antioxidants in broccoli is beneficial in this regard. These antioxidants are beneficial in lowering the chances of a heart attack.
Another study has revealed incredible results of broccoli in protecting the heart's health. When the broccoli was feed to mice, it protected against cell death in heart tissue and prevented the cardiac arrest.
Broccoli is also rich in FIBER. Not only it aids in losing weight but in maintaining heart health.
#4. Keeps the bone healthy
Strong bones are essential for a quality life. Unfortunately, most of us suffer from different bone diseases and conditions due to a lack of certain vital minerals and vitamins.
Broccoli is packed with essential nutrients and minerals that provide density to our bones. And prevent it from any damage.
VITAMIN K, POTASSIUM, MAGNESIUM, MANGANESE, PHOSPHOROUS, CALCIUM, COPPER, ZINC, IRON, AND VITAMIN A AND B are vital nutrients that broccoli contains and are essential to maintain our bone health.
These nutrients work together and promote bone strength and enhance its mass.
Vitamin K helps in preventing blood clotting and help us by keeping our bones potent and robust.
Another additional vitamin K role in improving bone mineral density and reducing fractures rates in people with osteoporosis.
The recommended amount of vitamin K is one microgram per kilograms of body weight.
THIS MEANS THAT A 65 KG ADULT WILL NEED ABOUT 65 MICROGRAMS OF VITAMIN K EACH DAY.
Luckily, ABOUT 100 G OF STEAMED BROCCOLI PROVIDES 145 MICROGRAMS OF VITAMIN. So, if you even eat half of it, you will get the recommended doses of vitamin K.
Be very mindful of vitamin K consumption, especially if you take medications that make the blood thinner.
#5. It makes the brain healthy
A healthy mind ensures a healthy and quality life.
As already mentioned, that broccoli possesses bioactive components. These compounds help the brain is slowing down mental deterioration. It also helps in making our brain healthy and nervous tissue performance better.
A new wave of research has shown that eating broccoli every day provides resistance against the mental decline of age.
Broccoli has a compound called KAEMPFEROL, which helps maintain brain health and fights against cognitive decline.
Another important compound is called SULFORAPHANE. It can support the brain's function when enough oxygen isn't provided to the mind.
#6. Improves immune function
You must have done many things to boost your immunity. Have you tried broccoli yet? Broccoli gives a boost to immunity that helps us fight against various infections and diseases.
If you genuinely want to enhance your immune system's function and flee from the worrisome cold and flu, try broccoli.
Broccoli has fair amounts of VITAMIN C, which helps the body fight off infections.
Vitamin C also helps in the detoxification of the body and eliminates free radicals. These free radicals will otherwise lead to wrinkles, arthritis, and age-related macular degeneration.
#7. Slows down the aging process
The aging process can't be diminished completely, yes, but it can be slowed down by consuming rich foods in antioxidants.
The main reason behind aging is oxidative stress and reduced metabolic process.
One can't avoid aging altogether, but by improving our diets, we can reduce several aging-related diseases and conditions.
Studies have suggested that sulforaphane can slow down the biochemical process by increasing the antioxidant gene expression.
#8. Maintains dental health
Dental and oral health is essential. Brushing your teeth twice a day won't be enough; you have to take vegetables and fruits that support your teeth. Luckily, broccoli is among those vegetables that ensure tooth health.
Broccoli possesses a wide range of nutrients that help us eliminate various oral infections and diseases such as tooth decay and gum recession.
Vitamin C and calcium provide oral health and prevent the bacteria from causing periodontal diseases. Another vital nutrient is KAEMPFEROL; it is a flavonoid, an antioxidant. It's a leading role in inhibiting PERIODONTITIS.
Sulforaphane also protects dental health and prevents the development of oral cancers.
Broccoli can also help in removing plaque naturally. So, instead of paying a significant amount on scaling and whitening. Spend some pennies on broccoli and get the scaling procedure done at home without any pain.
#9. Supports a healthy pregnancy
A pregnant woman needs a variety of multivitamins and other minerals for the optimal growth of her baby. Broccoli is among those healthy vegetables that have been proven healthful and beneficial during pregnancy.
Broccoli contains a good source of B VITAMINS, which are commonly referred to as folate.
Folate or B VITAMIN plays a very vital role in the growth and nourishment of the baby. It develops the neonate's brain and spinal cord. Regular and continuous intake of folate ensures a healthy pregnancy.
#10. Fights inflammation
Broccoli contains anti-inflammatory compounds, which help in lessening the chances of many lethal diseases. But thanks to these anti-inflammatory compounds, they help in protecting the cell from DNA damage. Broccoli also helps in maintaining diseases and conditions like Type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid, arthritis.
BROCCOLI HAS A WIDE RANGE OF BENEFITS FOR HEALTH. TRY ADDING A SMALL PORTION OF STEAMED BROCCOLI TO YOUR DIET. YOU CAN ALSO ADD RAW BROCCOLI TO YOUR SALADS.
BUT IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM SOME MEDICAL CONDITION, DO CONSULT A DOCTOR.