Benefits of Eating Brussels Sprouts

Did you know that eating a 100g or about 5 Brussels sprouts will provide your body with about 25 % to 30% of the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin A? Your body uses vitamin A for maintaining vision health and it is especially beneficial for the retina. Vitamin A also aids in ensuring the healthy growth of your skin and mucous membrane, supports the development of teeth and skeletal tissue and regulates your immune system.

These sprouts also contain beta carotene which is a provitamin A and a carotenoid. The body converts beta carotene to retinol which is a form of vitamin A only when the need arises. Beta carotene is an antioxidant and it will protect your body from being damaged by free radicals and thus reduces the risk of chronic illness such as heart disease and cancer.

There is 1290mcg or lutein and zeaxanthin in a 100g of boiled Brussels sprouts. The high level of this carotenoid helps in reducing the risk of age related macular degeneration which is a chronic disease that causes a loss of vision in the elderly.

There is vitamin K in the form of phylloquinone. A deficiency in vitamin K can result in hemorrhage or excess bleeding and one of the early symptoms is a bleeding nose or gum. If you have health problems such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease or Crohn's disease, your body will need the vitamin K because these diseases can kill the bacteria in the intestines that produce vitamin K.

Eating these leafy green buds provides you with the direct source of choline or else you have to eat foods that contain lecithin to convert it to choline. Choline helps in managing cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health. It also assists in regulating the functions of the brain and repairing cellular membranes.

The sprouts also contain insoluble fiber which is beneficial because it adds bulk to your stool, makes it easy to move through the digestive tract and prevent constipation. Eating this sprout makes you feel fuller and longer, cause you to eat less and may help you manage your weight.

Brussel sprouts also contain many other vitamins such as vitamin C, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. The minerals present include calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, copper and zinc. Other nutrients present include protein and carbohydrate. It is very low in fat and a 100g of boiled sprouts will provide you with 36 calories.

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