A beautiful, green cruciferous vegetable, broccoli can be eaten raw or cooked, and offers more than a handful of health benefits. Broccoli’s crunchy stems and delicate blossoms make it the most nutritious edible flower on earth, and finds itself a family member of cabbage, kale, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. It is nutrient dense, full of fiber and offers a refreshingly bittersweet flavor, the perfect inclusion in any meal. Here’s a list of health benefits that you will get from crunching through just a few florets of broccoli per week:
- IT KEEPS YOU FULLER FOR LONGER
Because broccoli is loaded with soluble fiber, it helps you feel satiated for longer, offering your digestive system the opportunity to prioritize dense nutrient absorption. Just one cup of steamed broccoli will give you up to 20% of your recommended daily fiber intake, cleansing your digestive tract and keeping your appetite in check.
- IT ALKALIZES YOUR BODY
Being a dark, leafy green vegetable makes broccoli an excellent source of alkaline for your body, which not only rids your body of excess acidity and toxins, but also leaves you feeling fresh and energized. By keeping your body in an alkaline state, you offer it an environment in which bacteria, germs and disease cannot thrive, which keeps your immunity in peak form.
- IT ENHANCES DETOXIFICATION
Broccoli contains phytonutrients known as glucosinolates, which act as powerful detoxification enhancers throughout the digestive process. By detoxifying your body, cells are protected from damage, and are more readily regenerated. For ultimate detoxifying power, broccoli is best eaten raw or lightly steamed.
- IT CONTAINS LOADS OF VITAMIN C
There’s no doubt that oranges are considered the king of Vitamin C, and more often than not, it’s our go-to for flu fighting. However, broccoli contains up to 100% more Vitamin C than oranges, providing an impressive 150% of our recommended daily dose of this important vitamin in just one serving! By eating more broccoli, especially during flu season, you will be boosting your immune system more than any orange elixir you could ever reach for!
- IT CONTAINS LOTS OF ANTI-OXIDANTS
Oxidants are responsible for causing ageing, cell degeneration and multiple diseases. Broccoli is the perfect antidote as it offers a rich source of anti-oxidants, keeping you younger, stronger and full of healthy cells.
- IT FIGHTS THE SYMPTOMS OF ALLERGIES
Broccoli contains a rich source of nutrients known as kaempferol and isothyocyanates which help to reduce the impact of allergy related substances in the body. It also contains great doses of Omega 3 fatty acids, which serve as a natural anti-inflammatory, soothing allergy related symptoms.
7. IT KEEPS YOUR HEART SUPER HEALTHY
The fiber alone is responsible for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of developing heart disease. Broccoli is not only loaded with cleansing soluble fiber, but it also contains a substance known as sulforaphane which helps in the healing process of chronic blood sugar problems. This leads to the repair and strengthening of blood vessels in the heart, restoring it to a healthy state and building up its immunity to disease and damage.
- IT MAINTAINS YOUR BONE DENSITY
The alkalizing effect of broccoli allows your bones to build up their calcium stores. Broccoli also contains excellent doses of Vitamin K, calcium and Omega 3 fatty acids, all of which maintain and build up bone density and strength. The sulforaphane in broccoli also assists in reducing the painful symptoms of arthritis, additionally preventing further deterioration for those who suffer from it.
- IT’S GREAT FOR YOUR SKIN
Broccoli contains high levels of zinc, which not only helps fight the visible effects of ageing, but also helps to reduce the symptoms of eczema, psoriasis and acne. Zinc also promotes cellular repair and, when combined with the high dosage of Vitamin C found in broccoli florets, your skin will have healthy and youthful glow for everyone to envy!
10. IT SOOTHES AND PREVENTS ULCERS
Stomach ulcers, indigestion and other intestinal discomfort can be greatly reduced by consuming two cups of broccoli per day on a regular basis, not only due to its alkalizing and anti-oxidant power, but because it contains a special phytonutrient that destroys the bacteria responsible for causing digestive disruption. The fiber also helps to cleanse your colon of candida, toxins and excess waste, improving your digestive health dramatically.
IN SUMMARY:
Whether you choose the greenest or most purple varieties, whether you steam it, boil it or have it as a raw snack, broccoli is a vegetable that you don’t want to push away from your plate. Incorporated into stews, curries, soups and vegetable patties, your family will benefit from regular consumption of this powerful floral health food.
