Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli is a super food. This low calorie vegetable is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, anti-oxidants and other nutrients. Besides its anti-cancerous properties, it is very beneficial for our immune system and our body. Eating broccoli everyday provides lot of health benefits to your health.

Cancer
Broccoli belongs to crucifer family like cabbage and cauliflower. It is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other healing plant compounds which protect our body against several types of cancer. Broccoli is a good source of anticancer phytochemicals called isothiocyanates, which fights against cancer by neutralizing carcinogens (Cancer promoting chemical).

Healthy bones
Broccoli is a calcium rich vegetable. It also contains minerals like magnesium, zinc and phosphorus. They are very essential for bones health. Especially for children, old people, pregnant and lactating mother as they are more prone to weakening of bone due to calcium and minerals deficiency.

Detoxification
Vitamins, minerals and certain amino acids found in broccoli help to detoxify our body. It removes free radicals and toxins from the body and purifies blood.

Fiber
Broccoli is a very good source of soluble and insoluble fiber. Fiber helps to keep the health of your stomach by preventing constipation. The magnesium and vitamins present in broccoli also help to heal acidity and improve digestion.

Eye care
Broccoli have plentiful of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.They protect eyes from damages caused by free radicals. such as macular degeneration, weakened vision, cataract.

Skin care
Antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin C and other vitamins and nutrients like A, E, K, B complex, omega 3 fatty acids, amino acids, folate give shine to your skin, hair and revive the skin tissues. These all goody nutrients present in the broccoli. Eating broccoli everyday will help you to take very good care of your skin. Additionally, broccoli has detoxification power which helps to remove toxin from the body and purifies blood. This helps to keep away skin problems like eczema, rashes, early skin aging, itches and boils.

Body Defense
The elements found in broccoli like vitamin C, Beta-carotene, and other vitamins and minerals give great protection against various viral diseases and infections.

Diabetes
A compound found in the broccoli, called sulforaphane, encourages production of enzymes which protect the blood vessels, and a reduction in high levels of molecules which cause significant cell damage triggered by high blood sugar. Sulforaphane also seems to activate genes that regulate protective antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.

Heart health
Fiber in broccoli helps to reduce level of bad cholesterol as well as keep the heart functioning properly by regulating blood pressure. People with Diabetes are more likely to develop heart stokes and other hearth related disease. sulforaphane found in broccoli helps to reduce the levels of molecules which cause significant cell damage.

Pregnancy
Broccoli and related crucifer vegetable like cabbage, cauliflower are rich in folate. It is very important to eat folate rich food especially during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Additionally, broccoli is an excellent source of Vitamins, minerals, calcium, iron, protein, folic acid and other nutrients. They are very essential for mother and the baby during pregnancy. Constipation is a common problem during pregnancy. As broccoli is rich in fiber, constipation can be prevented by including broccoli into daily diet.