Eating broccoli regularly is synonymous with taking care of your health through food.
This article explains all the properties and benefits of broccoli, a plant that should be part of everyone’s diet. And it is that it represents a great option to take care of yourself through food.
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What is broccoli?
Broccoli is a plant used in the gastronomy of many countries and whose flowers are edible . It is the dark green part that is made up of flower heads, the flowers being very small. The thickest part of the stem is no longer edible.
The origin of broccoli is in Italy, although today the countries that produce the largest amount of this food in the world are China and India. It is grown in areas with cool climates during the fall and winter, so it cannot be found year-round unless imported.
There are actually many types of broccoli, the most popular being what is known as Calabrese broccoli. However, other very rich varieties of this vegetable can also be consumed, such as Chinese broccoli, romanesco, purple broccoli or bimi.
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10 properties and benefits of eating broccoli
Despite all its properties and benefits, the truth is that broccoli is not one of the most consumed vegetables. It is not a food that is particularly liked by many people who are not very fond of vegetables, but there are also those who enjoy eating it.
Health-conscious people know that eating broccoli is super healthy , and they often incorporate it into their recipes when it’s in season. Below are the main reasons to eat this vegetable.
1. It is rich in vitamins and minerals
Broccoli is a food with many micronutrients . It provides very good amounts of vitamin C, B1 and B2, as well as different minerals such as iron, phosphorus, calcium or potassium. Regularly consuming vegetables such as broccoli is a guarantee that the body can perform its perfect functioning.
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2. Contains many phytochemicals
In addition to vitamins and minerals, there are other substances that support the vital functions of the body . These are different types of substances, such as glucosinolates, carotenoids and flavonoids, which provide different properties and benefits for those who eat broccoli.
3. It has antioxidant properties
Some of the substances we have mentioned have antioxidant properties . These are cases such as vitamin C or flavonoids, which are capable of preventing cell oxidation. The main mechanism of action is to counteract the harmful effect of free radicals, substances that cause damage to our tissues.
4. Fight inflammation
Another of the properties and benefits of eating broccoli is that it helps fight inflammation : This is very important for people who have localized problems due to joint injuries, trauma, etc. However, it is even more relevant to combat internal inflammation that can occur due to a sedentary lifestyle, a poor diet, etc.
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5. Take care of the lungs
Different studies show that eating broccoli can take care of the lungs . This organ is capable of helping the body fight different lung diseases such as asthma and other respiratory problems. This is due to the different properties and benefits mentioned above, which makes broccoli a special remedy also for this type of ailment.
6. It has anticancer power
Eat broccoli or cure cancer, but everything indicates that diet plays a very important role . Consuming vegetables with as many properties and benefits as broccoli can help prevent the appearance of cancer cells, as well as combat their development. That is why it is considered a substance with antitumor properties.
7. Prevents the onset of neurodegenerative diseases
Broccoli is a good weapon to combat many neurodegenerative diseases . As Hippocrates said, food should be people’s medicine, and especially when it comes to prevention. For this reason, people who regularly consume foods such as broccoli have more options to better combat the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis.
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8. Helps lose weight
People who want to lose weight can also find an ally in broccoli . This vegetable has few calories, and instead provides very good amounts of fiber. This causes a feeling of satiety and, therefore, encourages the fact of respecting meal times. It also contains very good nutritional value as it is a good source of carbohydrates and proteins.
9. It is considered a superfood
All these properties and benefits make broccoli a special vegetable . Many nutrition experts consider broccoli to be a superfood for all of the above. In fact, broccoli is one of the healthiest foods according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CCPEEU)
10. It is very versatile in the kitchen
Broccoli can be introduced in many different ways in the diet . The most important thing is to control the cooking time, since part of the taste of broccoli and its properties and benefits could be lost if it is cooked too much. Broccoli can be made in the form of a cream, with potatoes and bechamel sauce or as a complement to a salad or dishes such as rice with chicken, pasta with cheese, etc.
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Bibliographic references
- Fernandez, O. (2013). My anti-cancer recipes: Food and anti-cancer life. Barcelona: Urano SAU Editions.
- Herp, B. (2013). How Green Juices Heal: Health Benefits of Chlorophyll and Raw Foods. Barcelona: RBA.
- Martin, J. (2015). Ways of cooking: vegetables and vegetables. Barcelona: Grijalbo.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.