Benefits of Eating Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the best-known vegetables out there. Also, it is a vegetable that can be cooked or consumed in many different ways. While the taste is a great incentive for many to enjoy, its many health benefits are just as important. Learning about the benefits of eating broccoli may help to motivate you to pick some up the next time you are at the grocery store, or better yet, farmers market. Whenever possible make sure you choose either locally grown or organic broccoli, you will get all the great benefits without any of the potential problem associated with other farming methods.
Broccoli can Fight Cancer
When it comes to health benefits, few things are more important than fighting or preventing cancer. Broccoli has a significant amount of sulforaphane, which has been
shown to kill cancer stem cells. Those who currently have cancer should consider adding broccoli to their diet to compliment the treatments that their doctors give them. While it is not cure on its own, it will help provide you with vital nutrients as well as those that help to fight cancer more directly. Even for those who do not have cancer, broccoli is an excellent option. It can help to prevent cancer from forming, which is even better than a cure. A
study published in PLos One found that people who consume four servings of broccoli per week have a significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer. Keep in mind that a serving of broccoli is about two spears, which is not very much at all.
Broccoli Helps with Blood Pressure
Keeping your blood pressure in check is vital for overall health, and broccoli can assist in this area. A study that looked at hypertensive rats found that when they were given sulforaphane supplements found that their blood pressure was normalized. While additional research is needed for direct evidence in humans, it is very likely that this food can also help keep the blood pressure normal for people.
Improved Kidney Health from Broccoli
Related to the improved blood pressure from consuming broccoli, there is also evidence that it can help to improve your kidney function. High blood pressure has been shown to cause severe kidney problems, so keeping the blood pressure normal will also contribute to improving your overall kidney health. This is very important for keeping your body functioning the way it is supposed to.
Boost Your Immune System
Broccoli helps to stimulate antioxidant defense pathways throughout the body, which can contribute to reducing the overall oxidative stress. This can help to keep your immune system strong, even as you age. Keeping your immune system functioning properly is an excellent way to stay healthy, or fight off diseases once you get them. Adding broccoli to your diet is a great way of accomplishing this goal.
Broccoli is Heart Healthy
Keeping your heart healthy is crucial, and one small thing you can do with that goal in eat healthy foods. As mentioned above, broccoli helps to normalize blood pressure, which is a vital step for heart health. Broccoli also helps the body to produce enzymes that are known to protect blood vessels, which is a critical part of the cardiovascular system. This great food has also been
linked to reducing the overall number of molecules in the blood system that cause cell damage by as much as 73%.
Reduce Cholesterol
Broccoli contains no significant cholesterol, and it is a very healthy way to add nutrients to your diet without bumping up the calorie intake. When eaten regularly, broccoli has been shown to reduce cholesterol in the body, which can have many benefits. This is because the fiber components in this vegetable can bind with bile acids in the digestive tract. Steamed broccoli performs this function better than raw broccoli, so keep this in mind when preparing it.
Reduce Arthritis Symptoms
Arthritis is caused, at least in part, by damaged or missing cartilage that is supposed to provide cushioning in the joints. When the cartilage is damaged, arthritis gets worse. Broccoli has been shown to block a particular enzyme that is known to damage cartilage in the body. Adding broccoli to your regular diet is an excellent way to
reduce the damage over time, which can minimize the risk of arthritis and even help get relief if you already have it.
Broccoli can Aid Your Digestion
Digestive health is extremely important for an overall healthy body, and broccoli can offer a lot of support in this area. Due to the high fiber content in broccoli, your digestive tract is kept cleaner and functioning better than it would without this fiber. Keeping your digestion moving normally can help increase your metabolism, which can contribute to maintaining a healthy weight, which is essential for your health.
Overall Excellent for Your Health
In addition to these direct benefits to your health, you’ll find that broccoli is just good for your overall health due to the fact that it offers a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. A serving of broccoli provides 245% of your daily recommended value of vitamin K, 135% of vitamin C, 53% of chromium, 42% of folate, 21% of fiber, and much more. Just one serving of broccoli several times per week is a great start toward living a healthy lifestyle.
