You must be familiar with broccoli, a dark green leafy vegetable that resembles a cauliflower to some extent. Well, it belongs to the Brassica family and has amazing nutritional values. Apart from being used as a tasty ingredient in various cuisines across the globe, it is often recommended for medicinal purposes. Eat it raw, cooked or steamed, the vegetable offers a treasure trove of nutrients, besides an awesome taste. Often regarded as a super-food, broccoli is packed with Vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, protein, carbohydrates and chromium.
Read on to unlock the tremendous nutritious values that broccoli can provide you with. Combating arthritis A broccoli compound, known as sulphoraphane, is rich in sulphur. It helps to block an enzyme, that harms the skeletal system by damaging the cartilage. Physicians often recommend patients to consume substantial amounts of broccoli, as it has the power to prevent osteoarthritis. At least, it can slow down the process. Health of heart Vitamin B-complex is present in large quantities in broccoli. Thus, it is effective in improving the condition of the heart.
Vitamin B slashes off the level of homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine belongs to a category of amino acid, released in a person’s system as a result of consuming red meat. It may lead to diseases harming the coronary arteries. Broccoli also contains a type of anti-inflammatory agent, known as sulphoraphane. It can boost up the strength of blood vessels and prevent them from thinning. It keeps away the chances of getting a cardiac arrest. Checking blood sugar The chromium content in broccoli makes it an ideal food to prevent blood sugar rising above the safe levels.
It is effective in controlling the levels of insulin in the body. Evidently, it can control the level of blood sugar in the body. Broccoli boosts immunity As a person starts aging, the immunity system becomes weak. The sulphoraphane content in broccoli helps to strengthen the immune system of a person. Beta-carotene, present in the vegetable, also increases the resistance power of a person. In order to retain a robust immunity system, it is preferable to consume good quantities of broccoli right from the childhood.
Doctors and dieticians too, focus on the importance of the vegetable in meals. Protection of skin If you are concerned about your skin, start applying broccoli extract on your skin. It is effective in keeping the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun at bay. Well, you may consider sunscreens to do the job. However, it is an artificial way of protecting the upper layers of the skin. When you apply broccoli extract, the skin absorbs it and repels the sunrays from within. It is absorbed deep within the skin that allows one to grow a natural immunity against sun rays.
Even after three days of consumption, broccoli protects the skin from the ultraviolet rays. Beneficial for pregnant women Broccoli contains considerable amounts of folate. This is essential for women, particularly during pregnancy. The folate content of broccoli makes it ideal for pregnant women, most of whom lack sufficient amounts of the nutrient. An effective detoxifier Broccoli acts as a good detoxifier and helps to get rid of the harmful toxins of the body. Some of the rare nutrients like glucobrassicin, gluconasturtiin, and glucoraphanin are present in it, making it an ideal detoxifier.
It also contains Vitamin C, which helps it to perform the task. It eliminates the free radicals from the body and keeps it free from uric acid. Broccoli repels cancer Broccoli is one of the vegetables that can reduce the chances of developing lung and colon cancers. Sulphoraphane, present in the vegetable, constrains the production of HDAC, an enzyme that causes lung cancer. Thus, it prevents the body from cancerous effects of the enzyme. Apart from this, it contains folate, that reduces the chance of developing breast cancer.
The glucoraphanin, when converted to sulphoraphane, is effective in preventing prostate and cervical cancer. Promotes hair growth People suffering from dry scalp may benefit from broccoli. It contains Vitamins A and C, which moisturize the scalp. It also contains calcium, which strengthens the hair follicles. The iron, zinc and sulphur contents in the vegetable ensures that it promotes good health for the hair. Broccoli also helps to prevent hair loss and retains the structural integrity by boosting of the follicles. Regenerates the skin
Broccoli can regenerate the skin, increase the gloss and retain the natural shine of the skin. The glucoraphanin, present in the skin, repairs the cells after damage and helps the new cells to grow. The presence of Vitamin B complex, Vitamin E and beta carotene makes the skin look shiny. Even aging people can retain the lustre in the skin when they incorporate broccoli into their diet. Vitamin C ensures that the texture of skin remains intact, even in the old ages. Helps to lose weight This vegetable has the ability to reduce obesity.
It has a good amount of fibre, which adds bulk to the food. It keeps away hunger and thus, helps to maintain your diet plan. You can keep off unnecessary calories when you have broccoli in your food plan. If you are finding it difficult to maintain a low-calorie food chart, make sure that you have this vegetable in any form. Delivers good vision Broccoli is often recommended for children, as it helps to maintain a good vision. It contains Vitamin A, which enhances the functioning of the retina to capture light. Even in older people, it promotes good vision.
It also prevents cataracts and other health related issues. Reduces blood pressure Broccoli is a mineral-rich vegetable, stuffed with loads of calcium, magnesium and potassium. All these, along with omega 3 fatty acids, reduces blood pressure in the body. It promotes natural blood flow through the vessels and maintains the normal blood pressure. Apart from these, broccoli has a number of other functions. It maintains the health of the kidneys and keeps them fit. You can simply talk to your family physician or dietician and incorporate the ‘superfood’ into your diet.
