Broccoli comes from the brassicas family which also contains kale, cauliflower, cabbage, beets and golden beets. Broccoli was around for at least 2000 years, but in recent times its consumption has increased a lot.
What does broccoli contain?
One midsize broccoli contains:
- More C vitamin than an Orange
- There are a lot of K vitamins.
- Vitamin A in the form of Beta Carotene
- Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 (Folic acid)
- It is rich in fibres and phytochemicals
- It contains minerals
Why do we recommend you eat broccoli?
It Prevents Cancer!
Broccoli is an organic food which can prevent many types of cancer such as Breast cancer, Incomplete sentence Cervical cancer, Prostate cancer, and cancer on the internal organs (liver, lungs, kidney). Broccoli is especially good for people with breast cancer and cervical cancer because they are getting rid of the excess estrogen in the body.
Back in 1992, a researcher from “Johns Hopkins” University in the United States released his discovery that the ingredients in broccoli not only prevent the development of cancer in 60% of the researched groups but also reduce the developed cancer up to 75%. The ingredients of this vegetable are some of the most powerful weapons in humanity’s war against cancer.
It Helps When Trying to Reduce Excess Kilograms!
Not a lot of people know that broccoli also has some power when it comes to losing weight. Even though it has a small number of calories and even though it is easy to eat, the stomach needs a big amount of calories to digest it.
This way, the broccoli accompanied by the celery is one of those foods that the more you eat of it the more calories you are going to burn digesting it. To burn the calories from broccoli you are going to need only 5 minutes of walking or 2 minutes of running.
It Strengthens the Immune System!
It is really good when it comes to strengthening the immune system thanks to the abundance of vitamins and minerals that broccoli contains. It is also good when it comes to preventing numerous infections.
It Prevents Heart Diseases!
When you are consuming broccoli you are keeping your heart healthy and it develops the blood vessels making them more elastic, this way you are improving the blood circulation in your organism.
Preventing cardiovascular diseases. The broccoli increases the production of enzymes protecting the heart from various diseases. It also decreases the level of “Bad” cholesterol in your blood and it regulates the blood pressure.
It Takes Care of Your Skin!
If you want to keep your skin shiny, clean, and gentle you need to consume broccoli because it contains all the vitamins, which are good for your skin. Also, you can use broccoli for the tan and rejuvenation of your skin.
It Is Good Against Diabetes!
Broccoli is great for diabetics, because of its chrome concentrate, which has the function of reducing the sugar levels in the blood. The daily need of chrome that diabetic organism needs are 25 milligrams, and only 100 grams of broccoli contain up to 22 milligrams of chrome. So the daily broccoli consumption of a diabetic should be at least 100 grams.
It Strengthens the Sight and It Protects the Eyes!
The broccoli protects our sight. The beta-carotene, vitamin A, phosphor, and the other vitamins such as B-complex, Vitamin E and Vitamin C, of which it consists are great for keeping the health of your eyes. It is proven that broccoli can protect our eyes from UV 6.
In Which Ways Can the Broccoli Be Prepared?
When using broccoli it is crucial to know what you are doing and how you can prepare it, because if you don’t prepare it right you may lose a big part of the nutritious value of the broccoli.
When prepared the broccoli can not be soft, because that way it loses a good portion of its vitamins. You can get the real nutritious value when you prepare it semi-soft. The best way to prepare this vegetable is by steaming it.
Steamed broccoli has all of the nutritious values that it should have, but you can also boil it, fry it, or bake it, but, you may also use it raw, in your fresh salad. In the next few paragraphs, we are going to present to you a great detox salad which is simple, fast to make and it is delicious.
Fresh Broccoli Salad- Recipe
You are going to need:
- One clove of broccoli
- One cucumber
- Two or Three radishes
- One lemon
- Olive oil
- Himalayan salt
How to Prepare it:
Slice the broccoli into small pieces, and boil it for a short period of time. Once it starts boiling you should let it cool. Slice the radishes and the cucumber into circles. In a container first, we leave the broccoli and after that, the radishes and the cucumber are added. Season the salad with some olive oil, lemon and Himalayan salt.
Some Useful Tips!
- The broccoli is available throughout the whole year, but it is best to use it in winter.
- When buying broccoli always take the one which smells fresh, the one which has a strong body, which is big, and it has dark green colour. Avoid the broccoli which has yellow leaves.
- Keep the broccoli in the fridge, don’t wash it and keep it in a plastic bag. This way you are going to avoid the moisture and it is going to prevent the development of mould. You can store it for up to five days.
- You can boil the broccoli and keep it frozen in the fridge for up to one year.
- Some people may face problems with their stomach when consuming broccoli, but don’t avoid it just because of that. Consume it in smaller amounts until your stomach gets used to it.
