Whilst broccoli may not be a favourite for the kids, it does have some pretty amazing health benefits that can’t be ignored by anyone. Your kids may think those little green trees that we call broccoli taste horrible, but those little green trees contain loads of nutrition, including many of the essential vitamins and minerals and a number of very powerful antioxidants. Broccoli is also a very versatile vegetable, it can be eaten raw in salads, it works great in stir-fries, or you can lightly steam it for use as a side. It’s a well-known fact that the green cruciferous vegetables can help to combat cancer and other chronic diseases, so read on and you will find a full run down on the amazing health benefits of broccoli.
1. Regulates blood pressure
Add broccoli to the list of vegetables that you eat regularly and it will help to stabilise your blood pressure. Broccoli contains a sulphur compound that was shown by researchers at the OHSU School of Medicine to be able to actively control blood pressure. Broccoli also contains calcium and potassium, which also stabilise blood pressure.
2. Improves your brain-power
Another one of fabulous health benefits of broccoli is that it is also good for your brain. It is rich in Vitamin K, which boosts cognitive function and sharpens the mind. There is a high amount of choline in broccoli too, and this is essential for the growth of new brain cells. Eating broccoli will improve your memory and your mental stamina and keep you more awake and alert during the day.
3. Improves the health of the heart
Broccoli contains anti-inflammatory compounds that can help to prevent the damage to the linings of blood vessels that are caused by inflammation. It is this damage that can lead to heart disease and strokes, and one of the compounds in broccoli, called isothiocyanates, are even thought to be able to repair any damage that may have already occurred.
4. Helps to prevent cancer
A number of studies have proven that broccoli can be an effective aid in the fight against cancer. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, which acts against cancerous cells, and in a study conducted by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University, it was found that broccoli can prevent tumours forming by up to 60%, and that it can reduce the size of existing tumours as well.
5. Reduces allergic reactions
This is another one of wonderful health benefits of broccoli. Broccoli contains a number of anti-inflammatory compounds that help to reduce the effect of allergic reactions. If you are unfortunate enough to experience an allergic reaction, then the kaempferol and isothiocyanates, that are contained in broccoli, would greatly reduce the symptoms of such an attack.
6. Helps with detoxification
Health benefits of broccoli are very numerous. Broccoli is a good source of phytonutrients, including gluconasturtiin and glucobrassicin. These compounds help to neutralise and eliminate toxins and contaminates from the body. Ridding the body of toxins has an incredibly important beneficial effect on your health. It improves the metabolism, helps the immune system and it will give you a lot more energy.
7. Reduces the damage caused by diabetes
Although eating broccoli doesn’t cure diabetes itself, it can help limit the damage that is caused by the disease. The sulforaphane that is contained in broccoli is known to encourage the production of certain types of enzymes that protect the blood vessels and cells in the body from the damage that diabetes ultimately causes.
8. Balances the PH of the body
One of health benefits of broccoli is that it can also play an important part in helping to keep the PH of your body in balance. Broccoli naturally alkalizes your body, keeping you PH from becoming too acidic. If your body PH becomes too acidic, it can cause a whole range of health issues, including hypertension and a depressed immune system.
9. It is a great source of soluble fibre
We all know that we need to get plenty of fibre in our diet and eating broccoli is one of the great ways that we can do it. Broccoli is a very good source of soluble fibre, which helps to remove cholesterol from the body, maintains the balance in blood sugar levels, as well as being great for the digestive system. Fibre is also useful for when you are trying to lose weight, because it keeps you feeling full for longer.
10. It is a good source of folic acid
Broccoli is a particularly good
vegetable to eat when you are pregnant, because of its high folic acid content. Folic acid is very beneficial for the development of a child. Some research has also suggested that broccoli could help prevent some forms of cancers, including breast cancer and cervical cancer.
Comments