Author: Maryam Ayres
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Broccoli is a vegetable that contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that prevent bad cholesterol, cancer, stomach ailments and more.
Broccoli is a family of cruciferous vegetables that are a bomb of nutrients. They contain vitamin A, E, C, K, vitamin B6, protein, dietary fiber, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, manganese and selenium.
Broccoli is extremely useful because it has the ability to lower blood cholesterol levels. The reason is that the soluble fiber in vegetables binds to cholesterol in the blood, which facilitates its excretion, thus lowering cholesterol.
Broccoli contains abundant amounts of carotenoid antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin. They help improve eye function by slowing down age-related macular degeneration. They also prevent the development of cataracts. Vitamin C, found in broccoli, also plays an important role in maintaining the optic nerve.
Vegetables are extremely rich in vitamins A, E and C, which increase immunity. It contains a unique compound called glucoraphanin, which is converted into an antibiotic when it enters the body. It inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria that cause various diseases, increasing the ability of white blood cells to destroy these foreign bodies.
The stomach is exposed daily to hydrochloric acid , which is important for digestion, but it can be a painful factor when there is an ulcer. The isothiocyanates found in broccoli help strengthen the stomach wall. Vegetables are also rich in fiber that helps the colon, with one serving of broccoli providing approximately 10% of the recommended daily fiber intake.
Broccoli helps keep blood pressure within normal limits as it lowers cholesterol but also keeps blood vessels in shape. The presence of potassium helps to dilate blood vessels, helping blood flow and reducing vascular tension. Potassium is also needed to regulate sodium water retention, which can cause bloating and high blood pressure.
Cancer causes oxidation, inflammation and the spread of toxins in the body. Broccoli can prevent infections and reduce the risk of cancer. In principle, all cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage contain anti-cancer properties, but broccoli is the only one that contains a large amount of sulforaphane , which increases the body's protective enzymes. They are also rich in phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of cancer.