Among the many benefits of broccoli, its contribution of iron and potassium stands out, which help us fight anemia and avoid joint pain, respectively
Loved by some, hated by others… Broccoli is a “tree” shaped vegetable from the cruciferous family (also made up of cabbage).
It grows abundantly and its dark green color is striking, as is its shape or its thick inedible stem.
In this article we tell you more about the delicious broccoli or broccoli, a great ally for your health.
What does broccoli give us?
Broccoli is a species that grows in cool climates and thrives in hot summers, it is eaten boiled or steamed (although more and more people are choosing to enjoy it raw) and its flavor is similar to that of cauliflower.
The main producers of broccoli are China, India, the United States, Spain and Italy.
The nutrients that the delicious broccoli gives us are varied. Among them we can highlight those that appear in greater proportion: vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium.
It also has a considerable dose of dietary fibers, selenium and lutein. It stands out for its richness in folic acid, iron and vitamin A.
Therefore, we are facing a powerful food that cannot be missing in our diet and especially in that of our children.
Broccoli: the food-medicine
We already know that many vegetables and fruits are used as home remedies thanks to their components and nutrients.
In the case of broccoli we must highlight it, since there are many properties that it has and the benefits that we can enjoy when consuming it.
Thanks to its phytochemicals we can affirm that broccoli is used to:
prevent cancer
Glucosinolates are responsible for keeping cancer cells at bay. Sinigrin is another of the nutrients in broccoli that serves this purpose: it "stimulates" the natural death of precancerous tumor cells in the stomach and intestine.
They also serve to reduce cancer of:
- Larynx
- Lung or mouth in smokers
- breast in women
- prostate in men
As if that were not enough, this vegetable prevents liver cancer.
Improve heart health
The folic acid that broccoli provides is of vital importance because it allows not only to absorb iron correctly and prevent malformations in fetuses, but also prevents heart disease.
By reducing homocysteine levels, the folic acid present in broccoli prevents heart attacks, arrhythmias and atherosclerosis. It is also advisable in people with hypertension.
reduce anemia
Broccoli is one of the foods that provides us with the most iron and, therefore, is perfect for anemic patients.
Of course, it also prevents this condition and is recommended for people who are prone to it, such as:
- pregnant
- Women with heavy menstrual periods
- People who bleed a lot from the nose
- Breastfeeding mothers
Promote digestion
The B vitamins in broccoli are used to create enzymes such as pepsin that promotes the digestion of food.
If you suffer from flatulence or have intestinal flora problems, we recommend that you eat this rich vegetable at least once a week.
Thanks to its contribution of fibers, this vegetable favors intestinal transit, eliminates toxins from the intestine through the stool and provides a good feeling of satiety.
Thus, it is ideal for those who have anxiety about food or are dieting to lose weight.
Treat depression and nerves
When we finish consuming broccoli, we not only have a feeling of satiety, but also a good mood and well-being. This is because it helps produce dopamine, which is responsible for reducing nervousness, stress and depression.
For its part, the magnesium and calcium in this vegetable:
- They regulate sleep cycles and prevent insomnia.
- They relax the nerves and muscles.
- Regulates the heartbeat.
- Increase energies.
Eating broccoli is synonymous with vitality and happiness.
Avoid fluid retention
It is all thanks to its contribution of potassium, which counteracts the sodium accumulated in the body from consuming a lot of salt. If you have edema, hypertension or obesity, do not hesitate to add it to your meals.
Reduce joint pain
Broccoli can remove serous accumulations from the joints due to the potassium and glutathione it contains. It is a perfect food for people with arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Improve our external appearance
The antioxidant properties of this cruciferous allow us to detoxify the body and look more beautiful and young.
It has the ability to stimulate liver activity and purify the blood (which then translates into a healthier complexion), prevent hair loss and reduce skin problems (acne, dryness, blemishes, wrinkles).
Regulate the thyroid gland
The entire family of brassicas, including broccoli, can decrease the production of thyroid hormone, and therefore it is recommended for people with hyperthyroidism.
It is not indicated in patients with hypothyroidism, as it can lower hormone levels too much and cause problems.
In order to enjoy all the benefits of broccoli, you can choose to steam it between 3 and 5 minutes so that it does not lose its phytochemicals and nutrients (many of them die due to high temperatures when boiling) and then sauté it with olive oil and garlic.
A delicious and very nutritious option!
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