The Health Benefits of Broccoli

Mar 1st, 2010 | By editor | Category: Diet, Nutrition

It has been referred to as “vegetable royalty” and for good reason! Broccoli is a super-star vegetable power-packed with nutrients that are extremely beneficial for your health. It is a member of the brassica family of cruciferous veggies (bok choy, cabbage, kale, etc). It originated in the Mediterranean region of Europe and today is one of the most popular veggies in America. It can be cooked in casseroles, added to salads, and eaten raw. There is a variety of broccoli available including broccolini, broccoflower, broccoli raab, and broccoli sprouts. Here are some of the amazing health benefits of broccoli. Yummy!

• Broccoli contains phytonutrients that are thought to have anti-cancer effects on the body. One group of these phytonutrients is excellent in preventing breast cancer.
• This vegetable has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. In a recent study of more than 100,000 people, those who ate diets rich in broccoli experienced a 20 percent reduction in their risk of heart disease.
• Broccoli is a concentrated source of dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, niacin, magnesium, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids.
• Research suggests that the phytonutrients in broccoli promote digestive health.
• Broccoli promotes vision health by containing lutein and zeaxanthin. In a large-scale study involving over 30,000 individuals, those who ate broccoli more than twice a week were found to have a 23 percent lower risk of cataracts compared to those who ate broccoli less than once a month.
• This vegetable promotes bone health. One cup of steamed broccoli contains 74 mg of calcium and 123 mg of vitamin C.
• If you are pregnant, be sure to eat your broccoli! The folic acid in this vegetable is essential for proper cellular division and DNA synthesis.
• Broccoli contains only 44 calories per one cooked cup serving.
• Sleep promoting tryptophan is contained in broccoli.

References

Mateljan, G. (2007). The Worlds Healthiest Foods. Seattle, WA: George Mateljan Foundation.