The health Benefits of eating broccoli.
This amazing health giving vegetable is part of the cabbage family, and was once considered uniquely valuable by the Italians around the time of the Roman Empire. In fact the most common variety of broccoli is called Calabrese, named after Calabria in Italy.
Broccoli is the go-to vegetable for all round health benefits including, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and detox support, with an additional serving of anti-cancer nutrients, what's not to love?
Anti-inflammatory
The glucosinolates found in broccoli can help to suppress the inflammatory response, which is promoted by the NF-KappaB signalling system, thus leading to an overall reduction in harmful chronic inflammation.
The vitamins, minerals, flavonoids and carotenoids found in broccoli makes it powerful at combating inflammation, thereby helping to reduce the risk of cancer.
Antioxidant
Broccoli offers a concentrated source of vitamin c, a powerful antioxidant known to fight free radicals. The antioxidant benefits are boosted with the aid of Flavonoids, sulforaphane, lutein and carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and beta-carotene.
Detoxification
There is a unique combination of glucosinolate compounds in broccoli that can be used to make Isothiocyanates (ITC's), these can help to detox dangerous substances from our cells that lead to damage and disease.
Digestion
The fibre content in broccoli means you do not have to eat much to gain the benefits. Dietary fibre helps to regulate the speed at which food travels through the digestive system, as well as boost the healthy bacteria in our gut. These gut benefits do not stop there, sulforaphane found in broccoli can help to protect the health of stomach lining by reducing the overgrowth of bad bacteria.
Heart health.
The B-vitamins found in broccoli can help lower the risk of excessive homocysteine formation - a process that leads to the development of atherosclerosis, stroke and heart attack.
In addition, the fibre content in broccoli can do wonders for reducing the cholesterol levels in blood; to maximise these benefits steam your broccoli, rather than consume raw.
Eye health.
Broccoli has two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin both offer a risk reduction for cataract development and macular degeneration.
Cancer
Cancer is known to benefit from inflammation, oxidative stress and toxin build up. Broccoli is a powerhouse of anti-cancer nutrients fighting these three problems. The research shows the greatest benefit of broccoli for decreasing the risk of colon, prostate, ovarian, breast and bladder cancers.
What is the nutrient content of broccoli?
A quick look at some of the vitamins and minerals and the role they play in our health.
Vitamin C
- Supports the immune system
- Increases iron absorption
- Protects cells from oxidating damage
- Helps reduce the risk of heart disease, including coronary heart disease and stroke.
- Helps in the formation of collagen, carnitine, and catecholemines.
Vitamin K
- Promotes normal healthy clotting
- Prevents heart disease and arterial calcification
- Improves vascular health, leading to fewer varicose veins
- Maintains healthy bones
- Acts as an adjunct to vitamin D
- Helps to reduce the risk of developing prostrate cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer and leukaemia.
Vitamin A
- Maintains normal skin function
- Maintains healthy vision
- Promotes a healthy functioning immune system
- Maintains neurological function
- Reduces inflammation, through fighting free radical damage.
Manganese - Mineral
- Supports the formation of healthy bones through absorption of calcium
- Supports collagen production
- Helps with blood sugar control
- Contributes to the prevention of oxygen related damage and damage from ultra violet (UV) light
- Antioxidant, fights free radical damage. Diets low in Manganese have been linked to skin problems and asthma.
- Proper functioning of the thyroid gland
- Promotes metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
Magnesium - Mineral
- Helps protein synthesis
- Supports the nervous system
- Improves cellular metabolism
- Regulates heart rhythm
- Reduces the risk of osteoporosis
- Reduces eclamptic seizures
- Helps with muscle relaxation
- Assists with bone and teeth formation
- Regulates the body's use of calcium and other minerals
- Helps maintain structural health of cell membranes
- Reduces the risk of type two diabetes
- Reduces the symptoms of asthma
Potassium - Mineral
- Supports a healthy nervous system
- Helps maintain normal blood pressure
- Maintains a healthy kidney function
- Regulates fluid balance
- Lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease
- Helps to improve bone and muscle health
- Helps reduce anxiety
Vitamin B5 - Pantothenic acid
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Turns carbohydrates into energy
- Helps to maintain a healthy nervous system
- Contributes to a healthy digestive tract
- Keeps skin healthy and has a moisturising effect
- Essential in the metabolism of fats, protein and carbohydrates
- Helps balance and lower cholesterol levels
- Can help in the process of liver detoxification
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