Health Benefits of Broccoli

What are the health benefits of broccoli? What are broccoli nutrition facts?

Broccoli is one of the foods that people either love or hate. The truth is everyone should eat it to be healthy. It has so many nutrients that help fight off diseases.

Broccoli is part of the cabbage family of vegetables. It is also a close relation to the cauliflower. It has several textures to it because of the stalks and flowery head. It is fairly pungent while it cooks due to the presence of sulfur compounds.

Broccoli Nutrition Facts

A 100gm of broccoli contains 141kJ energy, 6.64g carbohydrates, 1.7g sugars, 2.6g dietary fiber, 0.37g fat, 2.82g protein and 3% beta carotene. And it contains the following vitamins and minerals.

1. Vitamin K
   
   
   
2. Vitamin C
   
   
   
3. Vitamin A
   
   
   
4. Folate
   
   
   
5. Tryptophan
   
   
   
6. Manganese
   
   
   
7. Potassium
   
   
   
8. Vitamin B2
   
   
   
9. Vitamin B6
   
   
   
10. Magnesium
    
    
    
11. Phosphorus
    
    
    
12. Omega 3 Fatty Acids
    
    
    
13. Vitamin B5
    
    
    
14. Calcium
    
    
    
15. Iron
    
    
    
16. Vitamin B3
    
    
    
17. Vitamin B1
    
    
    
18. Vitamin E
    
    
    
19. Zinc

One cup of steamed broccoli only has 43 calories.

The Health Benefits of Broccoli

1. There are also phytonutrients, indoles and sulforaphane present in broccoli. These are both great cancer fighting agents. The indoles can disrupts and estrogen metabolite that encourages tumors to grow. This can highly impact the risk of breast cancer where estrogen is a factor.
   
   
   
2. The sulforaphane, some amino acids, and vitamin C functions as detoxifying agent, removing toxins. If left alone, the toxins may cause various problems such as gout, rashes, or even arthritis. Also through detoxification, you can lower your risk of colon cancer and other types of cancers.
   
   
   
3. The fiber in broccoli can treat constipation problems. It helps to eliminate waste products through the bowels more efficiently. Constipation can cause other stomach disorders if not cured.
   
   
   
4. Broccoli is also great for the skin's health. The anti-oxidants, vitamin E, vitamin Bs, vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, amino acid, and omega 3 fatty acids aid in promoting healthy skin.
   
   
   
5. This vegetable helps lower the bad cholesterol in your system and regulates your blood pressure.
   
   
   
6. Broccoli has nutrients in it that also protect your eyes from the effects of aging and UV exposure.
   
   
   
7. Eating broccoli improves your immune system. This means you can fight infections off more effectively.
   
   
   
8. Broccoli is also great for bone health with all the calcium it provides with other vital nutrients for bone strength.
   
   
   
9. One of the other benefits of broccoli is it keeps your body from being anemic with the presence of iron in it. If you are anemic, consider adding broccoli to your diet.
   
   
   
10. You can cook broccoli in many delicious ways such as broccoli casserole. Or you can add it to your salad.

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