What is Broccoli?

The cabbage-like green vegetable that we know as broccoli, this Brassica oleracea is a green plant in the cabbage family whose large flower is used as a vegetable. Broccoli has large green flowers, which are usually arranged in a tree-like structure radiating out from a thick, edible stalk.

There are three main varieties of broccoli, with Calabrese broccoli being the most common. Broccoli and purple cauliflower sprouting are two other varieties of this vegetable that are found mostly in European and Mediterranean countries. The best way to eat broccoli is by steaming them, boiling them or eating them raw as salad greens to preserve the nutrients present in them.

Types of Broccoli

Broccoli is beneficial for us in many ways. There are different types of broccoli-

• Calabrese broccoli
• Purple Cauliflower
• Broccoli rabe
• Sprouted broccoli
• Broccoflower
• Gai-lan Broccoli

Nutrients found in Broccoli –

• This Ayurvedic edible vegetable is rich in nutrients, organic compounds, minerals and vitamins.
• Therefore, if you include it in your diet, then it can be very beneficial for your health.
• The essential nutrients present in Broccoli are vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and chromium.
• It is also a good source of dietary fiber, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, manganese, phosphorus, choline, vitamin B1, vitamin A (in the form of carotenoids), potassium, and copper.
• Broccoli also contains phytonutrients and glucosinolates. In this, isothiocyanates made from glucosinolates help in preventing cancer.
• Apart from this, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, calcium, iron, niacin and selenium are also present in broccoli.

Why Broccoli is good for you?

• Surely broccoli is beneficial for you. This vegetable has a high amount of vitamin C, almost twice as much as an orange.
• The amount of calcium in it is also almost equal to that of milk. The selenium present in it is an important nutrient to prevent cancer.
• The consumption of broccoli detoxifies your body. In fact, a study suggests that cruciferous veggies like broccoli can protect against DNA damage to cells.
• Due to the presence of antioxidants, broccoli helps in preventing cancer, diabetes and inflammatory diseases.
• It is known to improve your liver health. You can consume broccoli for your overall health, it will help in promoting your overall health.

Read Also: Healthy Broccoli Recipes

Benefits of Broccoli for Skin

• Many vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, Vitamin E, Vitamin A (carotenoids) can be obtained from this green vegetable like cabbage.
• It also provides you with dietary fiber, phosphorus, pantothenic acid, choline, potassium, protein, calcium, zinc, niacin, selenium and iron.
• Broccoli contains a glucoraphane which converts into sulforaphane and it can remove skin problems.
• As a result of which you can get healthy skin.

Benefits of eating broccoli for hair growth

• Vitamin C is very important for your hair which is available in good quantity in broccoli.
• Vitamin A is also found in it along with calcium which promotes hair growth.
• These nutrients present in broccoli also help in growing new hair on your scalp.
• If you consume broccoli regularly then perhaps your hair can be nourished in sufficient quantity.
• Some studies show that broccoli also reduces the problem of hair fall.

Consuming Broccoli for Digestion

• Rich in medicinal properties, broccoli reduces inflammation in the colon and helps prevent colon cancer.
• Some compounds of this vegetable are broken down in the stomach, one of them being indolocarbazole.
• This ICZ activates another compound called aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which maintains healthy gut and treats associated issues like leaky gut.
• Leaky gut occurs when there is an intestinal infection. So that there is an opportunity to attack by toxins and micro-organisms.
• Broccoli also contains other specific compounds that can be used by gut bacteria and improve overall gut health.

Use of Broccoli to Increase Eyesight

• If you are troubled by any kind of eye problem, then broccoli can help you to overcome this problem.
• Studies show that broccoli can prevent blindness.
• This is because it contains sulforaphane, an antioxidant that protects the eyes from naturally occurring ultraviolet radiations.

Benefits of Eating Broccoli to Lose Weight

• Broccoli helps in regulating the cholesterol level. Because broccoli is very low in calories and contains other nutrients like vitamin C, chromium and calcium in good quantity which help you in reducing weight.
• Broccoli contains a lot of fiber which can reduce the extra cholesterol and fat on your body.
• Broccoli also contains phytochemicals that help you lose weight.

Benefits of Green Cabbage for a Healthy Heart

• In addition to lowering cholesterol, broccoli helps to keep the blood vessels strong which helps in keeping the heart healthy.
• Broccoli contains an anti-inflammatory called sulforaphane which prevents damage to the linings of blood vessels due to blood sugar problems.
• The B-complex vitamins in the vegetable may help control or reduce excessive homocysteine.
• Excess homocysteine, an amino acid formed after consumption of red meat, increases the risk of coronary artery disease.
• You can consume broccoli to keep your heart healthy.

Broccoli Sprouts Reduce High Blood Pressure

• Studies show that regular consumption of broccoli can reduce high blood pressure in the body. It helps in reducing stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
• Consuming broccoli prevents high blood pressure as it can regulate some of the calcium along with potassium and magnesium.

Benefits of Broccoli to Prevent Cancer

• Broccoli helps to cure breast cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer and some forms of cancer of various internal organs like lung cancer, liver, colon cancer and kidney.
• These cruciferous vegetables contain a sulfur-containing compound called sulforaphane, which has cancer-fighting abilities.
• The sulforaphane present in it can inhibit the enzyme histone deacetylase which promotes the growth of cancer cells.
• Folate and vitamins are known to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women.
• Apart from these, other anti-carcinogenic compounds such as glucoraphanin, diindolylmethane, beta-carotene, selenium etc. are found in broccoli which help us against cancer.