10 Health Benefits of Broccoli

Some people love broccoli and some people hate it, but there’s no denying that broccoli is a nutritional wonder.Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, which includes kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, collard greens, rutabaga and turnips. These nutrition powerhouses supply loads of nutrients for little calories.

Nutrition Value in Broccoli

 Benefits of Broccoli

1. Cancer Prevention

Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which with the body processes into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane. This compound rids the body H. pylori, a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Furthermore, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a powerful antioxidant compound and anti-carcinogen found to not only hinder the growth of breast, cervical and prostate cancer, but also boosts liver function.

2. Reducing allergic reaction and inflammation

Research has shown the ability of kaempferol to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. Broccoli even has significant amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are well know as an anti-inflammatory.

3. Improving bone health

Poor vitamin K intake is linked with a high risk of bone fracture. Just one cup of chopped broccoli provides 92 micrograms of vitamin K, well over 100% of your daily need. Consuming an adequate amount of vitamin K daily, improves bone health by improving calcium absorption and reducing urinary excretion of calcium.Broccoli also contributes to your daily need for calcium, providing 43 milligrams in one cup.

4. Skin Benefits of Broccoli

Like other green veggies, broccoli can do wonders for your skin because of the presence of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Thus, it is beneficial to our skin in many ways.

•  Maintains Skin Health

Broccoli is rich in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.  Vitamin C stimulates collagen production, thus keeping your skin healthy whereas vitamin A protects your skin cell membranes and prevents ultraviolet radiation damage.

•  Promotes Skin Regeneration and Repair

Broccoli contains a substance called glucoraphanin which gets converted into sulforaphane resulting in healthy skin and repairing of skin damage. Thus, eating broccoli renews your skin more quickly and gives your complexion a beautiful natural glow.

•  Protection from Skin Cancer

Repeated sunburns increase the risk of skin cancer. As stated earlier, sulforaphane in broccoli provides protection against UV radiation by controlling the redness medically known as erythema. In this way, it significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer.

5. Eye Health

Studies have shown that the carotenoid lutein helps prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, as well as possesses anti-cancer effects. Additionally, broccoli is a good source of vitamin A that is needed to form retinal, the light-absorbing molecule that is essential for both low-light and color vision.

6. Powerful antioxidant

Of all the cruciferous vegetables, broccoli stands out as the most concentrated source of vitamin C, plus the flavonoids necessary for vitamin C to recycle effectively. Also concentrated in broccoli are the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, other powerful antioxidants.

7. Looking younger

The antioxidant vitamin C, when eaten in its natural form (in fresh produce as opposed to supplement form) can help to fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin texture.

Many people automatically think of citrus fruit when they think of vitamin C, but did you know that broccoli provides 81 milligrams in just one cup? That is more than what you need in an entire day.

Vitamin C plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, the main support system of the skin. Vitamin A and vitamin E are also crucial for healthy looking skin, both of which broccoli provides.

8. Improved digestion and natural detoxification

Eating foods with a natural fiber like broccoli can prevent constipation, maintain a healthy digestive tract and lower the risk of colon cancer. Adequate fiber promotes regularity, which is crucial for the daily excretion of toxins through the bile and stool. Recent studies have shown that dietary fiber may also play a role in regulating the immune system and inflammation.

 9. Hair Benefits of Broccoli

As you know, healthy hair requires certain vital nutrients like Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B5, vitamin B12, iron, niacin, zinc, sulfur, silica and germanium to be delivered to the hair follicles. Dark green leafy vegetables like broccoli are super food for hair and their consumption strengthens the hair at the roots. Some of the benefits of broccoli for hair are as follows.

• Promotes Hair Growth

Broccoli contains vitamin A, vitamin C and calcium which promote hair growth. Vitamins A and C stimulate the production of sebum, an oil based secretion that acts as a natural moisturizer and conditioner for scalp and hair whereas calcium strengthens the hair follicles.

• Combats Hair Loss

The antioxidants in broccoli seed oil, particularly vitamin C prevent hair loss by eliminating the free radicals, thus contributing to healthier and thicker hair. B vitamins such as vitamin B6 help in reducing stress, a factor that can contribute to hair loss. These vitamins support mental and physical health which in turn supports a healthy hair system. In addition to these, broccoli contains a powerful substance that can inhibit dihydrotestosterone or DHT which is closely related to hair loss and thinning.

10. Great source of fibre

Broccoli nutritional benefits are many and one of them its its capability to aid in dieting. It is a great source of fibre, and is one of the perfect vegetable that will aid in weight loss. It contains both soluble and insoluble fibres that prevents constipation and maintains blood sugar. A cup of broccoli contains the essential amount of protein need for a healthy diet.