Broccoli is a nutritious vegetable that offers numerous health benefits. It’s one of the best sources of Vitamin C and a cup of broccoli gives you 84% of your daily requirement. It contains other nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, calcium, iron and, potassium. There are several methods you can prepare broccoli such as boiling, steaming, stir-frying and microwaving. Broccoli can also be eaten raw which gives you the maximum nutritional value. Here are some of the benefits you can get from broccoli.
- Boosts Brain Health
Thanks to its Vitamin K, sulforaphane, and Choline content, broccoli is a great food for the brain. Sulforaphane helps rebuild damaged brain cells while Vitamin K and Choline assist the brain to perform cognitive functions and boosts memory. Therefore, eating broccoli can prevent mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. It can also enhance learning which is why it’s important to add broccoli to your child’s diet.
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- Controls Diabetes
Diabetes can be a deadly disease if not managed well. Patients have to be careful with their diet and eat foods that don’t cause a spike in their sugar levels. Broccoli can aid patients with diabetes manage their condition. It builds insulin resistance and lowers blood sugar levels. It’s also a good source of dietary fibres which ensures that glucose metabolizes slowly. How to live with diabetes
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- Protects From UV Rays
Extreme sun exposure causes negative effects on the skin and the body such as skin cancer, wrinkles, and sunburns. Broccoli can help reverse these negative effects. It contains a compound known as Glucoraphanin which has been linked to undoing the effects of UV rays. Antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C, and B complex help prevent free radical damage that is associated with cancer.
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- Reduces Cholesterol
Many foods we eat today contributes to high cholesterol levels in our body. This, in turn, leads to health problems. Broccoli helps the body draw out cholesterol by binding its fibre content with bile acids. This lowers the amount of bad cholesterol in the bloodstream thus avoiding the chances of suffering from cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attack.
- Improves Eyesight
Our eyesight deteriorates as we age. However, other factors such as spending long periods in front of a screen, eye-related illnesses, and genetics can cause poor eyesight as well. Therefore, it’s important to take care of our eyes as we take care of the rest of our bodies. Eating broccoli can help keep your eyes in good condition thanks to its phosphorous, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.
- Promotes Healthy Pregnancy
Poor nutrition during pregnancy could lead to serious problems such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and deformities. Since the unborn child depends on its mother for proper development, certain nutrients need to be increased. Pregnant women especially need to eat enough calcium and folate for good bone formation. Broccoli is a good source of these nutrients that help promote a healthy pregnancy.
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- Fights Respiratory Diseases
Many of us didn’t pay much attention to our respiratory health until COVID-19 made us realize how important it actually is. Eating a healthy diet is the first step in preventing respiratory diseases. Broccoli can aid reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the lungs and airways that can lead to lung problems. This is due to its sulforaphane-rich content which removes harmful bacteria that can cause infections. Health: 11 Natural Remedies For Chest Congestion And Asthma
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