Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli is known to be a healthy and tasty vegetable which is rich in dozens of nutrients. It is said to pack the most nutritional punch of any vegetable. When we think about green vegetables to include in our diet, broccoli is one of the veggies to come to our mind. Coming from the cabbage family, broccoli can be categorized as an edible green plant.

Eating broccoli also detoxifies your body after exposure to food or airborne carcinogens and other oxidants. This activity can be attributed to sulforaphane, an important phytochemical in broccoli. In fact, one study proved that ingesting cruciferous veggies like broccoli can protect cells from DNA damage.

Health benefits of Broccoli –

1. Detoxifies Your Body

Often called the dynamic trio, glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiin, and glucobrassicin in broccoli neutralize and eliminate the unwanted chemicals from your body.

The sulforaphane in broccoli sprout protects the aerobic cells from damage by inducing a network of detoxification enzymes. In addition, it also suppresses the inflammatory responses. In another study, individuals who consumed broccoli sprout tea were found to have higher levels of detoxification. These individuals saw their blood levels of benzene and acrolein decrease post the 8-week long experiment. Benzene and acrolein are products of chemical combustion commonly found in highly polluted areas. Simply put, broccoli helps eliminate the pollutants that we unknowingly inhale on a daily basis.

2. Promotes Heart Health

Broccoli keeps the blood vessels strong, which is one of the ways it improves heart health. The sulforaphane in the vegetable can prevent and even reverse damage to blood vessel linings caused by chronic sugar issues.

3. Might Promote Weight Loss

Broccoli is low in calories, and hence can be an ideal addition to a weight loss diet. And yes, broccoli is a good source of fiber – it keeps you full for a long period and discourages binging. This could simply make your path to weight loss a little smoother.

4. Improves Brain Health

The two crucial nutrients in broccoli that improve brain health are vitamin K and choline. While the former enhances cognitive abilities, the latter improves memory. And more importantly, broccoli contains a decent amount of folic acid that helps prevent Alzheimer’s and depression.

5. Helps Slow Down Aging

One compound in broccoli, called nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), has been found to offer anti-aging benefits. NMN produces another compound important for energy metabolism – this compound fuels energy in our bodies, potentially eliminating some of the signs associated with aging.

And the vitamin C in the veggie fights free radicals that otherwise tend to speed up the aging process. Vitamin C also contributes to collagen production, which improves skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles.

6. Improves Hair Health

The B vitamins and vitamin C make your hair stronger and strengthen the hair follicles. Vitamin C also combats free radicals that otherwise cause hair loss.

Dark green vegetables like broccoli are loaded with vitamins A and C that help produce sebum – a natural scalp oil that keeps the hair conditioned.

7. Boosts Immunity

The number one reason broccoli works best for the immune system is its vitamin C content. And studies have found that broccoli can also boost the aging immune system. The sulforaphane in the vegetable interacts with Nrf2, a protein that regulates the body’s overall antioxidant response. This protein can switch on hundreds of antioxidant and rejuvenating enzymes and genes

Broccoli is so versatile, you can eat it with just about anything. If you’re on a diet or watching your calorie intake, add raw broccoli to salads. It also makes the perfect side dish. Sauté, steam, or roast broccoli for dinner, and eat it alongside beef, chicken, pork, or tofu. Or pair it with another vegetable or a starch like rice or potatoes. Many casseroles include broccoli as an ingredient. And if it’s cold outside, whip up a broccoli and cheese soup or a broccoli potato soup.