Dear Readers, From June, broccoli will be in season again. Then you get the juicy green cabbage freshly harvested and regional at the weekly market. Green vegetables are always at the top of health tips because they provide important vitamins and minerals. Broccoli is one of the healthiest foods of all and stands out due to its diverse health effects and special ingredients such as sulforaphane.
In addition, green cabbage is one of the vegetables richest in magnesium and protein and is therefore particularly interesting for athletes, vegetarians, and vegans.
What is broccoli?
The green vegetable is known by many names broccoli, crumbly cabbage, asparagus cabbage, or sprout cabbage. The plant is closely related to cauliflower and belongs to the cruciferous family.
Broccoli Ingredients
Freshly picked, raw broccoli contains about 90% water, 6% carbohydrates (fiber), and 4% protein. Like most green vegetables, broccoli is very low in calories, providing only 35 calories per 100 grams.
The nutritional information for 100 grams of raw broccoli is:
Calories: 35
Water: 90 percent
Protein: 4 grams
Carbohydrates: 6 grams
Sugar: 1.7 grams
Fiber: 2.7 grams
Fat: 0.5 grams
Our favorite vegetables also contain many vitamins and minerals:
Vitamin C (100 grams of broccoli cover your daily requirement)
Vitamin K1 for blood clotting
Folic acid (vitamin B9) for healthy cells
Manganese for metabolism in muscles, bones, and joints
Iron for oxygen transport
How Much Protein Does Broccoli Contain?
Broccoli contains about 3-4 grams of protein per 100 grams, which is pretty impressive for a green vegetable. A typical portion of 300-500 grams provides you with a good 9 to 15 grams of protein and that as a side dish.
It should be emphasized that broccoli is particularly rich in the amino acid tryptophan. This amino acid is a building block of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which makes us feel relaxed and happy.
Unfortunately, plant proteins are not as easy for the body to absorb as animal proteins. Also, the myth that broccoli contains more protein than steak is also false. This would only be the case when considering the dry weight. As a side dish, it contains a reasonable amount of protein and is, therefore, a good source of protein – but it’s not the protein bomb that vegans like to think it is.
Beauty and Health benefits of broccoli
Broccoli is particularly popular because of its secondary plant substances. These ingredients strengthen the liver during detoxification processes, serve as powerful antioxidants and regulate the hormonal balance. Sounds promising? I told you – broccoli is awesome!
Sulforaphane
Sulforaphane is a special sulfur-containing compound found in many types of cabbage. As a phytochemical, it is associated with numerous health effects because it is one of the most powerful antioxidants and regulates our genes. Sulforaphane provides a large number of positive effects.
A study has shown that populations that eat more cabbages, such as broccoli, are significantly less likely to develop cancer. One of the reasons is sulforaphane because it works effectively against various types of cancer by reducing the number and size of cancer cells.
It is important to know that the bioavailability (uptake rate) of sulforaphane decreases greatly as the broccoli is cooked. One study showed that raw broccoli contains 10 times more of it.
If you don’t do well with broccoli raw, steaming it for a short time is a good way to preserve its valuable components.
indole-3-carbinol
Indole-3-carbinol is also a phytochemical that belongs to the group of indole derivatives and is also effective against cancer. In addition, the substance supports the liver in detoxification processes and is an important, growth-promoting messenger substance for the intestinal cells. As a result, it has a preventive effect on intestinal diseases such as leaky gut syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome.
Healthy reasons to eat more broccoli
The ingredients described giving a good foretaste of the effects of green vegetables. Here you will find an overview of all the reasons that make broccoli so healthy.
Broccoli Fights 6 Types of Cancer
Sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol are weapons against tumors. There is scientific evidence for the following six types of cancer:
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Stomach cancer
Colorectal cancer
Kidney cancer
Bladder cancer
Broccoli is a powerful anti-inflammatory
Another powerful phytochemical that makes broccoli so special is the flavonoid kaempferol. Studies have shown that the plant compound (also found in peppermint and chamomile) has powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Half a broccoli covers your daily vitamin C requirement
Vitamin C is a real booster for a strong immune system, and broccoli is rich in this vitamin. Forget apples and oranges local, green veggies often provide a lot more of them.
Broccoli acts as a fountain of youth
And again sulforaphane moves into the limelight. In the article on epigenetics, we have already described to you that our genetics depends on various environmental factors and that genes can be switched on and off. The plant substance has an activating effect on genes that slow down the aging process because they have a cell-protecting effect.
Broccoli is a brain food
Thousands of pieces of information flow into our brains every day. Multitasking and stress put a lot of strain on our control organs. Unfortunately, illnesses such as dementia and depression are on the increase.
You can also protect yourself with broccoli. Its bioactive ingredients, you know them by now, protect the brain structures and support the oxygen supply a real brain food. The plant substances can also support regeneration after a stroke.
Broccoli sprouts multiply the effects
Are you amazed by the effects of green vegetables? Then I have good news for you because broccoli sprouts contain a greater amount of the healthy ingredients sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol, and kaempferol. Broccoli sprouts are particularly effective in treating diabetes.
This is all about beauty and health benefits if broccoli. The good thing is that broccoli sprouts are easy to grow yourself. In a sprouting house or nursery like this, you can grow a healthy army of broccoli seeds within a few days.
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