9 Broccoli Benefits to Explore

Broccoli is one of those foods that people either love or hate. But even if you have never been a fan of this cruciferous vegetable that is related to cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, it comes with a host of health benefits that are too good to ignore.  

Whether you consume broccoli, broccoli sprouts, or green cauliflower – yes it is really broccoli – here are nine benefits of this superfood to explore

Packed Full of Nutrients

Broccoli is a nutritionally rich vegetable that is packed full of vitamins C, K, A, and folate as well as minerals that include calcium and phosphorus, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and so much more, according to Greatest. Just one cup of the vegetable provides 75 to 90 percent of the recommended daily requirement of vitamin C.

Contains Powerful Antioxidants

The powerful antioxidants contained in Broccoli is one of the main reasons the vegetable is so good for you, according to Healthline. Antioxidants are molecules that can prevent cell damage caused by free radicals in your body. The vegetable contains high levels of glucoraphanin that converts into sulforaphane, a strong antioxidant, when you digest your food. Sulforaphane offers a host of benefits that include reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting chronic diseases including diabetes and some cancers.

Heart Healthy

While all fruits and vegetables are important in eating a balanced diet, broccoli is one of the best when it comes to cardiovascular health. The antioxidants in broccoli help your heart by aiding in the reduction of bad cholesterol. Elevated LDL levels and triglycerides are major risk factors for contracting heart disease.

Broccoli also contributes to heart health because it is high in potassium which relaxes blood vessels and lowers the risk of developing high blood pressure, reported Medical News Today. High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.

Good For Your Gut

The high fiber content in broccoli can also help with gut health by preventing constipation. The cruciferous vegetable also helps promote healthy bacteria in your colon, a key component of digestive health, according to Greatest.

Eating broccoli can also help improve gut health in people who suffer from colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A 2017 study published in J Funct Foods found that mice that ate a diet including broccoli had good gut microbiomes due to reduced inflammation.

Supports Brain Function

The nutrients and plant compounds found in broccoli could help slow mental decline due to aging and help support healthy brain function, according to Healthline. This is especially true for patients who have had brain injuries or strokes.

The sulforaphane in the vegetable helps to support your brain after an event like a stroke that reduces oxygen going into the organ.  A study that researched the effects of sulforaphane and vitamin E on mice found significant brain tissue recovery and reduced neural inflammation.

Immunity Boostser

The high level of vitamin C found in broccoli can help boost your immune function and could protect you from colds or flus, or at least reduce the symptoms, reported Medical News Today. But vitamin C can do a lot more. This vitamin also helps your body produce collagen which supports healthy skin and protects from sun damage.

Helps to Reduce inflammation

Inflammation occurs any time your immune system is under attack from an infection or illness. But chronic inflammation occurs in people who suffer from autoimmune disorders like arthritis and type 1 diabetes. The sulforaphane and other antioxidants found in broccoli act as anti-inflammatories and help reduce inflammation. This allows for better movement with less pain.

Supports Dental Health

Broccoli can also help support oral health and aid in preventing dental disease, according to Healthline. That’s due to the high level of calcium and vitamin C found in the superfood. Broccoli also contains Kaempferol, a flavonoid that may prevent periodontitis.

 Could Help With Blood Sugar Control

Eating broccoli could help reduce blood sugar levels  in diabetics due to the antioxidants and fiber the  cruciferous superfood contains. Broccoli  also helps to decrease insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes. A randomized controlled trial studied the effect of eating broccoli sprouts for one month and found that it decreased insulin resistance in the participants. This makes broccoli a very healthy food for diabetics.