Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli is a popular hearty and tasty vegetable that contains a lot of nutrients. According to studies, this vegetable packs the most nutritional content than any other. Does broccoli come into your mind any time you think of including green vegetables in your diet? Well, with its benefits, broccoli should be part of your diet often.

Broccoli is a vegetable that belongs to the cruciferous family, which includes cabbage, turnips, collard greens, bok choy, kale, Brussels sprouts, rutabaga, and cauliflower. All these nutritional powerhouses can supply a lot of nutrients and few calories. If you want to eat healthier, you must include cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli at the top of your grocery list. In case you or your children are not fans of broccoli, try to incorporate it into your diet to enjoy all the benefits this article will outline.

Top Benefits of Broccoli

• Cancer Prevention

  Did you know that broccoli has immune boosting and cancer-fighting properties just like other cruciferous vegetables? When you eat higher amounts of broccoli, you will minimize the risks of cancer, especially colon and lung cancer. According to studies, the sulfur-containing compound known sulforaphane gives broccoli the bitter bite hence giving them the power to fight cancer.

  Studies have found that this sulfur compound can inhibit histone deacetylase, an enzyme that is involved in the growth of cancer cells. Due to the ability to stop histone deacetylase enzymes, it becomes easier for sulfur-containing foods to help with cancer treatment and this could make these foods part of cancer treatment in the near future. Currently, sulforaphane is being studied for its traits in slowing or delaying cancer and has shown promising results in the prostate, melanoma, pancreatic and esophageal cancers. Just like broccoli, other cruciferous vegetables can also help prevent cancer.

  Broccoli also contains folate, which has been found to minimize the possibility of breast cancer. With adequate intake of folate, you can also protect yourself against stomach, cervical, colon and pancreatic cancers. While the mechanism behind this protection isn't really understood, scientists believe that it could have something to do with the role folate plays in the production of RNA & DNA including mutation prevention.

• Detoxification

  Because broccoli contains a lot of fiber, it may help eliminate toxins in your digestive tract. Additionally, broccoli has antioxidants that may help to detoxify the entire body. This super vegetable comprises of special phytonutrients that assist in the detoxifying process meaning the body gets rid of all the unwanted contaminants. Moreover, broccoli has isothiocyanates that help to detoxify the body genetically.

• Reducing Inflammation and Allergic Reactions

  Studies have shown the capability kaempferol has when it comes to reducing the effects of an allergy-related substance in the body. You can also find substantial amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that are known to be anti-inflammatory. Additionally, broccoli can assist people who suffer from problems like arthritis because it contains sulforaphane, a form of chemical that can block the enzymes responsible for causing joint destruction hence leading to inflammation.

• Powerful Antioxidant

  This cruciferous vegetable has antioxidants that can assist the body in different ways. For instance, broccoli is a good source of an antioxidant known as glutathione, which occurs naturally in most foods in this family. This powerful peroxidase neutralizes free radicals hence minimizing damage to cell membranes, organelles, and DNA. It also regulates protein synthesis, immune response, cell signaling, gene expressions and cell reproduction. The deficiency of peroxidase is thought to increase the risks of diseases like cancer.

  Broccoli also encompasses vitamin C that makes it great at providing immunity. Moreover, broccoli has flavonoids that can help in recycling vitamin C efficiently. This vegetable is also enriched with beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, carotenoids lutein, among other antioxidants.

• Boost Bone Health

  If you want to have strong and healthy bones consider taking broccoli because it has high levels of vitamin K and calcium. These nutrients are essential for bone health and help to prevent osteoporosis. Other than calcium, broccoli is full of nutrients like zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. Due to these properties, broccoli is very essential for children, lactating mothers and the elderly.

• Heart Health

  Anti-inflammatory properties in sulforaphane, isothiocyanates in broccoli, may be capable of preventing or reversing some damages often found in blood vessel linings. These damages are caused by inflammation, which results due to severe blood sugar problems. This means that broccoli is great for your heart's health thanks to the vitamins, fibers and fatty acids it offers to regulate the body's blood pressure. This also assists to reduce bad cholesterol meaning you will have a healthier heart. You can protect your blood vessel from damages with broccoli too.

• Skin and Eye Care

  Skincare doesn't just involve its glow but also the immunity. Because broccoli is a nutrient and glutathione powerhouse, vitamin C and minerals like zinc and copper will help to maintain a healthy skin. Your skin will also be protected from getting infections and still maintain its natural glow. Amino acids, vitamin K, and folates in broccoli make it easy to maintain the immunity of the skin.

  Other than skin care, broccoli also helps with eye care. It contains vitamin A, beta-carotene, and phosphorus including other vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin C and B complex. All these nutrients are ideal for eye health because they help protect the eyes against cataract and macular degeneration. It also repairs common damages done by the harmful radiations we go through every time we use our phone or stay in front of screens.