When it comes to broccoli, parents have tried every elaborate trick in the book to get their children to eat this leafy green. Whether it’s the taste or just the look of it, most of us have avoided this vegetable like the plague when we were younger.
But with age, comes growth of palette and knowledge in vegetables we once thought were horrible to consume.
One fun fact about broccoli is that its name comes from the Italian broccoli meaning, 'the flowering crest of a cabbage,' which makes complete sense being that what we eat is the flower and stem.
Broccoli is not just healthy, but it’s a super food. It can be cooked in a variety of ways and is also super-beneficial for your health.
Even though broccoli gets frequently overlooked, it possesses a plethora of benefits that might even shock you.
Scroll through the gallery below to learn 11 reasons to enjoy broccoli and see the lasting effects it has on your body.
Why Eat Broccoli?
Broccoli is one of those miracle vegetables that once you're aware of all the good it can do, it gets hard to overlook. Broccoli has a strong and positive impact on our body.
Whether it's concerning the body's detoxification system, high cholesterol, or any vitamin deficiency you might have, broccoli should be your go-to vegetable.
This green veggie is one of the cruciferous vegetables that if eaten on a regular basis, can help you reap fantastic health benefits.
Benefit #1: Great For Weight Loss
Eating vegetables has always been said to work wonders when it comes to shedding a couple of pounds or maintaining a healthy weight.
According to Indiatimes, broccoli is high in fiber content, which can keep you satiated.
Broccoli is definitely one of the best vegetables to remedy weight issues you may be facing. It makes it ideal for dieting being that it's really low in calories.
Working in broccoli to more of your meals can be very beneficial to getting rid of waste.
Our bodies need to release contaminants, and being that it contains rare nutrients like glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiin, and glucobrassicin, this vegetable is truly effective in eliminating any toxins stored in your body.
Benefit #2: Treats And Prevents Anemia
Eating this delectable vegetable is also great for anyone battling anemia.
Being that broccoli is rich in iron and folic acid, it makes for one of the best foods for treating it, as well as preventing it.
According to FamilyDoctor.org, vitamin C, which broccoli has a lot of, is also important because it helps the body absorb iron.
Broccoli can also improve levels of hemoglobin, which is very beneficial to those experiencing an iron deficiency.
Benefit #3: Good For Your Bones
Unfortunately, along with age comes weakened bones.
However, look no further than broccoli to help your bones regain their strength.
Broccoli actually contains a lot of calcium, along with magnesium, zinc, vitamin K, and phosphorous. All help prevent bone-related ailments and keep your bones strong.
A diet that's rich in vitamin K can be linked to a lower risk of fractures in some populations. Therefore, loading up on this healthy veggie may help slow bone loss and reduce the risk of fracture.
Benefit #4: Good For Heart Health
A vegetable that’s good for the heart can stay in my meal plan forever.
According to WebMD, a 30-day study done by the University of Connecticut looked at how including broccoli in one’s daily diet could help with heart health. The study showed higher levels of heart-protective chemicals during deprivation, better blood-pumping ability, and less heart damage during heart attack-mimicking oxygen deprivation.
If you're looking to reap the most benefits out of this flowery green, the best way to eat it is raw or quickly steamed.
Benefit #5: Helps Eyesight
According to Live Healthy, broccoli may help your vision.
Two antioxidants, in particular, that broccoli contains are lutein and carotenoid. Both help in deterring cataracts and macular degeneration.
Vitamin A is known to better vision in low-light conditions and to aid in discerning colors.
Various forms of this vitamin are actually referred to as "retinoids" due to how important they can be for your eyes' retinas.
Benefit #6: Helps Fight Cancer
Foods that prevent cancer are always special in my book.
According to WebMD, broccoli may help fight cancer growth.
Gene p53 is known as a tumor suppressor gene and can play a critical role in healthy cells and protecting them against cancer.
Researchers found that compounds in broccoli along with other cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower and watercress, appear to target and stop mutant p53 genes associated with cancer growth.
This vegetable doesn’t just fight against one type of cancer, either. Indole-3-Carbinol helps reduce the risk of breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.
Benefit #7: Helps Hair Glow
Hair health is important. I never knew that eating broccoli affected my scalp or anything hair related.
According to U.S. News, broccoli, along with other dark green veggies, are filled with vitamins A and C, both of which produce sebum, which is a natural scalp oil that helps in conditioning your hair.
Both vitamins contribute to moisturizing your scalp while the erucic acids give your hair a beautiful, natural shine.
The calcium found in broccoli can be helpful in strengthening hair follicles which can lead to long, volume-filled locks.
Benefit #8: Improves Kidney Health
According to KidneyServiceChina.com, there are a plenty of benefits to those who eat broccoli when battling a kidney disease.
To patients with kidney disease, broccoli is especially helpful in preventing cardiovascular issues.
Broccoli is filled with flavonoids, which are known for being the best cleaning agents of blood vessels.
Eating broccoli is helpful in preventing infection being that it’s also abundant with vitamin C. It’s absolutely necessary for those suffering from any kidney issues to be wary of infection, and this super-vegetable can be one step closer to ensuring that.
Benefit #9: Protects Skin From Aging
Broccoli is filled with antioxidants, like vitamin C, which help reduce and prevent damage to your skin. Such damage includes pigmentation and wrinkling.
According to Everyday Health, quercetin found in broccoli is a natural anti-inflammatory agent, able to fight against aging.
Vitamins B and E are also found in this delicious vegetable, and both are proven to give your skin a healthy glow.
Benefit #10: Prevents Arthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, lab studies have found that sulforaphane, a chemical compound found in broccoli, may be able to stop enzymes linked to joint deterioration and hinder inflammation.
High amounts of vitamin K, also found in broccoli, can slow down the progression of osteoarthritis.
Benefit #11: Boosts Immunity
In order to keep your body healthy and strong, your immune system needs to be in tip-top shape.
According to UCLA Newsroom, studies find that broccoli may help boost the aging immune system.
Broccoli has nutrients such as trace minerals, beta-Carotene, and zinc. These nutrients are a necessity for your immune system and can truly help in keeping you from catching a cold.
Besides that, broccoli is also rich with ascorbic acid which helps detoxify the liver and is helpful for anyone in need of an immunity boost.
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