Broccoli and Everything New You Need to Know About it
This common vegetable broccoli, sometimes gets a bad reputation but we are here to give it a face lift. It is durable and flavor filled, especially when paired with cheese. It is delicious, nutritious and is packed with several health benefits. From helping to promote a healthy heart to keeping your brain sharp, here are four more reasons to enjoy the crunchiness of broccoli today.
Broccoli Nutrition
Broccoli is packed with several vitamins and nutrients but there are a few worth calling out. One serving provides more than the daily recommended amount of vitamins C and K, which help keep your immune system healthy and your blood pressure balanced and intact respectively. It is also a good source of folate and vitamin A, which are important nutrients for pregnant women. The nutrition for 1 cup of raw broccoli is as follows:
- Calories: 30
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrate: 6g
- Sugars: 2g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 29mg
Health Benefits of Broccoli; From head to gut, here are some of the reasons why broccoli is worth a place in your plate.
Boosts Brain Health
To stay sharp, munch on it. One 2015 study found that those who ate one to two servings of dark leafy green vegetables had the mental abilities of those over a decade younger. Talk about the fountain of youth. More recent studies done in mice have found similar results on broccoli’s anti-aging and neuro-protective effect.
Helps Your Heart
It is probably no surprise that there is ample evidence supporting vegetables as heart-healthy foods. However, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables are in a league of their own when it comes to heart health. It has a ton of nutrients and antioxidants packed into a small serving, meaning you don’t need to eat much to get the nutrients your heart needs. It is also a great source of vitamin K, which is important for a healthy blood pressure and healthy blood clotting (as in, vitamin K helps stop the bleeding when you cut yourself). A study published in 2020 found that vegetables like broccoli and brussels sprouts can help prevent CVD(cardiovascular disease) and also protects the overall chances against stroke, heart attack or even death.
Protects Against Cancer
A healthy, balanced diet is one of the best ways to prevent diseases like heart disease and diabetes—and even some types of cancer. Certain foods, like broccoli, are particularly beneficial in that arena. A recent study in Cancer Treatments Review found that broccoli and other dark leafy green vegetables release secondary plant products that have anti-cancer potential in our bodies. Other recent reviews have found that a potential mechanism of this is that the compounds found in broccoli can neutralize carcinogens and prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading.
Protect the eyes
Broccoli, like many cruciferous vegetables, is packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants protect cells from damage and stress that creates inflammation and increases chronic disease risk over time. A recent study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics found that women who ate more cruciferous vegetables like broccoli had lower levels of inflammation in their blood. it also protect the eyes from blindness due to sun ultraviolet light.
Bottom Line
Regardless of if you like it chopped in our Mediterranean Broccoli Pasta Salad or roasted with ample amounts of Parmesan, broccoli is a food you can feel good about eating regularly. It has countless health benefits from protecting against cancer to fighting inflammation, and is packed with vitamins and nutrients. As an added bonus, broccoli is super multifunctional and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
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Good writeup on the subject matter. I have always been a brocolli person myself and it’s good to see an article in it. We will be waiting for more write-ups. A fulfilling life awaits you all. Bon voyage!