Health Benefits Of Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the cruciferous vegetables which provide us with a lot of health benefits.

 

In recent years, three components found in broccoli have captured many people’s attention - indole-3-carbinol (I3C), sulforaphane and beta-carotene.

 

I3C is a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and it appears to block the growth of cancer cells in such area as breast and prostate.

 

Sulforaphane in broccoli, also an anti-cancer compound, helps increase the level of enzymes to block the growth of cancer but boiling broccoli reduces its levels with losses of 20–30% after five minutes, 40–50% after ten minutes and 77% after thirty minutes.

 

Regarding beta-carotene in broccoli, it would transform into vitamin A in our body and together with vitamin K, broccoli helps solve our vitamin D deficiency epidemic.  
Besides, the potassium in broccoli aids those battling high blood pressure, while a large amount of calcium helps combat osteoporosis.

 

The vegetable is also fiber-rich, which enhances the gastrointestinal tract to move. The fiber-related components in broccoli bind the bile acids in the digestive tract and make it easier for bile acids to be excreted, resulting in lowering the cholesterol levels.

 

Broccoli is a particularly rich source of a flavonoid called kaempferol, which has the ability to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. This kaempferol connection helps explain the unique anti-inflammatory benefits of broccoli.

 

Additionally, the health benefits of broccoli have been linked to preventing and controlling the following: Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, calcium deficiencies, stomach and colon cancer, malignant tumors, lung cancer, heart disease, arthritis and even the aging process as it is high in vitamin C which is an effective antioxidant that destroys free radicals (responsible for weakening the defense of cells).