health benefits of eating broccoli

Health Benefits of Eating Broccoli

health benefits of eating broccoli, health benefits of eating raw broccoli.

health benefits of eating broccoli

Broccoliis one of our most nutritious vegetables, broccoli also appears to protect against many common cancers. Over the last 20 years, numerous studies have found that people who eat an abundance of broccoli have a significantly reduced incidence of cancer of the colon, breast, cervix, lungs, prostate, esophagus, larynx and bladder. In addition recent studies indicate broccoli may improve lupus symptoms, while other cruciferous vegetables member of the cabbage family, whose four petaled flowers resemble crosses are protective, broccoli seems to have more cancer fighting compounds. Some of these block the action of hormones that stimulate tumors, other work by inhibiting tumor growth or by boosting the action of protective enzymes. Broccoli is also high in BIOFLAVONOIDS and other ANTIOXIDANTS, substances that protect cells against mutation and damage from unstable molecules.

Broccoli has an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals. A one cup serving of cooked broccoli contains only 40 calories, yet it provides almost twice the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C and one third or more of the RDAs for vitamin A and folate. A cup of broccoli also provides 130 mg of calcium, 1.2 mg of iron, 5 g of protein, and 2.5 g of fiber.

health benefits of eating broccoli

Fresh broccoli is available year round in most supermarkets and produce departments; frozen broccoli is just as nutritious as fresh. Flowers that are turning yellow, however, are past their prime and less nutritious, although broccoli can be eaten raw, most people prefer it cooked. Steaming or stir frying it until crisp tender retains the most nutrients, boiling it in a large amount of water destroys many of the cancer fighting compounds as well as vitamin C and other nutrients, prolonged boiling also gives broccoli an unpleasant, cabbage like odor. 

health benefits of eating broccoli

 BENEFITS:

An excellent source of vitamin C.

A good source of vitamin A and folate.

Significant amounts of protein, calcium, iron and other minerals.

Rich in bioflavonoids and other plant chemicals that protect against cancer, and may be helpful in lupus.

Low in calories and high in fiber.

DRAWBACKS:

Overcooking releases unpleasant smelling sulfur compounds.

health benefits of eating broccoli

health benefits of eating broccoli

health benefits of eating broccoli

health benefits of eating broccoli

health benefits of eating broccoli

health benefits of eating broccoli

health benefits of eating broccoli