Get your daily dose of broccoli
The term “broccoli” hails from the Italian plural broccolo meaning “flowering crest of a cabbage” and are referred to as “goitrogenic” food according to a popular belief. However, latest studies prove that foods themselves—broccoli included—are not “goitrogenic” even when they consumed in excess. Hence, broccoli is purely safe.
On the contrary, if you believe in healthy eating habits or are switching on to it, then broccoli must top your list of grocery items as it falls in the category of good carb. Also, it can last for about 10 days if packed and refrigerated properly. Blanched and frozen broccoli can stay up to a year.
Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous category of vegetables which includes, cauliflowers, cabbages, white and black mustard seeds, garden cress, turnip root, Brussels sprouts, radish, bok-choy, and other leafy veggies.
Benefits of this tiny tree-looking veggie
Boon for bone health: You need a daily dose of about 90 micrograms of vitamin K for healthy bones. A cup full of broccoli provides you with this by assisting calcium absorption and reducing excretion of calcium through urination.
Prevents cancer: A study states that broccoli prevents head, neck, lung, breast, liver and colon cancer. Aulforaphane, a sulfur-containing compound gives broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables their bitter taste, but more than anything else it helps the vegetable the power to fight cancer.
Look younger with powerful antioxidants: Broccoli is laden with vitamin C, which is an essential factor for a healthy skin. The antioxidant works well on wrinkles and damaged skin. Vitamin A and E, which are also important for a glowing skin, are found in abundance in the vegetable. It also resolves vitamin D deficiencies.
Improves digestion & natural detoxification: Blessed with natural fibers, broccoli clears the stomach with ease. This is essential for daily excretion of toxins. It also helps maintain low blood sugar and refrains one from overeating.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Sulforaphane in the vegetable not only prevents, but in some cases even reverses some of the damage to blood vessel linings due to chronic blood sugar problems. It is also a rich source of kaempferol which lessens the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. Secondly, omega 3 fatty acids are found in large quantity which lessens allergic reaction.
Heart healthy: The soluble fiber in broccoli draws out the cholesterol from your body. Besides, the high fiber consumption lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of developing coronary diseases, stroke, hypertension and certain gastrointestinal ailments, improves insulin sensitivity, and enhances weight loss.
Caution
For those under medication and using blood-thinners, broccoli could be harmful. The vitamin K in the vegetable could lead to blood clotting. Also, it shuts down your thyroid. By this we mean that broccoli and its Cruciferous cousins like cauliflower, cabbage etc, have glucosinolates. This may interfere with the iodine absorption and create thyroid dysfunction.
–windowtonews
