Whilst broccoli might not be the most popular of vegetables, there is no doubt it is one of the most beneficial for us. It is frequently over-looked simply because it does not have the preferred taste of other foods or people brand it as “boring”. But do not be fooled, it is one of the best foods available to us, for our health, and we need to start frequently including it in our diets. Let’s take a look at all of the nutrition facts and amazing health benefits of broccoli.
Nutrition facts of Broccoli (1)
The nutrition facts for 100 g of raw broccoli are:
- Calories: 34
- Protein: 2,8 g
- Carbohydrates: 6,6 g
- Total Fat: 0,04 g
- Water: 89,3 g
- Vitamins: Vitamin C (89,2 mg), Vitamin K ( 102 mcg ), Folate (vitamin B9)
- Minerals: Calcium (47.0 mg), Magnesium (21.0mg), Potassium (316mg ), Iron (0.7mg)
Health Benefits of Broccoli
Broccoli is a great source of antioxidants
Antioxidants are chemicals, produced by your body in fighting substances in your body that cause cell damage. It is important to eat food that contains antioxidants so your body can protect you against cell damage as much as possible, so although your body naturally produces it, a large part of our antioxidants comes from the food we eat. Broccoli has some of the highest levels, with just one serving of raw broccoli providing you with nearly three-quarters of the Vitamin you need to increase your antioxidant levels.
Broccoli is an important source for glucosinolates
Another huge health benefit of eating broccoli is the help it gives you in strengthening your immune system, we all have one, and we all need a strong immune system if we are to fight against sickness and disease. Broccoli is part of the Brassicaceae family of plants, and these plants produce Glucosinolate, this is an important chemical that actively strengthens our immune system, helps in the reduction of inflammation, stress, and helps us stay fighting fit.
Lower risks for cancer
One of the most deadly diseases to humans is cancer, and we need all the help we can get in preventing getting cancer, or keeping us as strong as possible to fight it, and help the treatment process. This is where broccoli, once again, proves its superfood status, Brocolli contains a compound called Sulforaphane, this is a sulfur-rich compound, and it has been proven to actively kill the stems cells of cancer, which in turn slows down the growth of cancer and cancer tumors.
Help build strong bones
On top of this, broccoli is a fantastic source of Vitamin K and calcium, both of these are important to our bone strength, and bone density. People generally think of getting these nutrients only from dairy products, when in fact you get more calcium per serving from broccoli than you do from milk.
Good for eye health
Another area that broccoli is not given enough credit for is our eyesight, everyone talks about carrots helping you see in the dark, but no one talks about how broccoli can literally save your eyesight. The antioxidant zeaxanthin in broccoli works with your body and helps prevent cataracts, which cause your eye lens to cloud over, and it works to prevent macular degeneration, this is an incurable eye condition, which causes blurry central vision.
The bottom line
Broccoli is a low-cost food item, that can be prepared in an abundance of ways, or for even more benefits it can be eaten raw. The cost is low, and the benefits we receive are high, it is truly is a superfood, and it’s one that we can’t afford to ignore.
