Broccoli belongs to the genus of cruciferous vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. The veggie is loaded with a galaxy of nutrients such as fiber, minerals, antioxidants, calcium, folate, and many others. Including the miracle vegetable in your diet regularly helps you get a healthy body. Here is why you should include it in your diet.
1. Heart Friendly Diet
The superfood is affluent in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Each component is ideal for maintaining a fit heart. A heart-friendly diet reduces cholesterol levels to minimize the chances of a heart attack. The presence of antioxidants in cruciferous vegetables provides a major reason why you should consume broccoli. These agents take care of your arteries by reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, a condition slowly impacts your arteries leading to a heart stroke. Fiber is another effective agent against cardiovascular diseases. Eating fiber in sufficient amounts is essential for maintaining low levels of lipid in the blood. Hypertension is highly responsible for cardiovascular issues. Potassium can help with controlling high blood pressure.
2. Anticancer Property
Cancer is the most wicked of all ailments. No food can eradicate the possibility of cancer. However, eating a healthy diet could help maintain a healthy body environment. Broccoli contains a phytochemical sulforaphane that may safeguard the body against cancer. The component helps to detoxify airborne toxins and carcinogens entering your body through cigarette smoke, drugs, alcohol, and fumes. Thus, reducing the risk of most prevalent cancer types such as prostate, colon, skin, and breast cancer. Like other cruciferous vegetables, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol that attributes an effective antitumor quality.
3. Plant-Based Protein Source
There is a misconception that only animal proteins can provide essential amino acids to fulfill your protein needs. Broccoli debunks this myth. It contains more protein than a filling meat portion. That is why it is a perfect protein alternative for vegans. It supports hormonal balance, bone, eye, and skin health.
4. Ideal for Weight Watchers
Many dieticians include broccoli in their clients’ weight loss plans. The vegetable’s nutrition profile shows how beneficial it could be for a healthy weight loss. The water-soluble fiber in broccoli absorbs water to create a gel in your stomach that keeps it fuller for hours. Ghrelin is a hormone that makes you feel hungry. Fiber intake reduces the secretion of the hormone thus, suppressing appetite. Besides, the veggie is low in calories, high in water content with almost no fat; making it an excellent diet snack.
5. Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Inflammation is the biggest threat to the immune system and vice versa. Certain chronic autoimmune conditions like metabolic syndrome, arthritis, type 1 diabetes, or infections could induce inflammation in the body. Sulforaphane in broccoli enhances the production of glutathione in the body that boosts the body’s repair mechanism. Also, the compound protects the cells from being affected from inflammation.
Who Should Not Include Broccoli In Their Diet?
People with thyroid issues as it might interfere with iodine absorption
It could be troublesome for people with Crohn's disease, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease due to the high fiber in broccoli
People using blood thinners should consult a dietician to suggest the desirable dose of the vegetable to get nutrients in a desirable amount
Conclusion You can rightly call broccoli a superfood for its numerous health benefits. It supports your digestion, weight management, immune system, bones and prevents the gradual progression of serious diseases.
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