What are the Health Benefits of Broccoli?
- There are agencies that claim scientific evidence that broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables lowered risk for many forms of the disease, such as tumors of stomach, esophagus, lung, oral cavity and pharynx (throat), endometrium , and the pancreas.
- Broccoli also contains Vitamin C, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Calcium and Fiber. Calcium is required for the bones and so for the lactose intolerant this green vegetable could be a good substitute.
- Vitamin C and Beta Carotene found in broccoli are excellent anti oxidants that help eliminate free radicals.
- Broccoli helps the body to get rid of the H. Pylori bacteria. This bacterium is responsible for causing peptic ulcers, esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus or the food pipe), gastritis (inflammation of the stomach), and also increases the person’s risk of getting gastric cancer.
- The vegetable aids in preventing the development of age related macular degeneration and protects the retina from damage.
How Broccoli Benefits Body?
A compound that is found in broccoli helps protect the respiratory tract against inflammatory conditions like rhinitis, asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. This was stated by a new study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles.
Sulforaphane, a chemical compound, found in the vegetable, sets off an increase in the anti-oxidant enzymes in the respiratory tract. These antioxidants protect the air way from damage that might be caused by the free radicals that we breathe in. The air is full of free radicals – diesel exhaust, and tobacco smoke. These free radicals cause excessive tissue damage and inflammation.
Dr. Marc Riedl, the research’s principal author, has said that this is one of the first studies, that has revealed that the broccoli offers protection against oxidative damage and has strong anti-oxidant properties.
The researchers found that there was 2 to 3 fold increase in the anti-oxidant enzymes in the air way passages in subjects who ate broccoli in plenty.
They said, this vegetable could help treat a whole lot of respiratory disorders.
Broccoli For Diabetes Control And Heart Health
Q: How is Diabetes and Heart health related? does diabetes make me more vulnerable to heart attacks or other cardiovascular ailments?
A: People with diabetes are about 4-5 times more vulnerable to heart related diseases. This is because Diabetes damages your heart blood vessels. Damage to heart blood vessels can cause strokes and heart attacks.
Q: How does Broccoli help cure diabetes and prevent heart related illnesses?
A: Broccoli does not cure diabetes, but can control the damage Diabetes inflicts to the heart blood vessels. This is probably due to a substance called sulforaphane that is found in broccoli. Sulforaphane is known to produce enzymes that protect the blood vessels and reduce the cell damage by over 70%. Broccoli also helps the liver detoxify faster and help eliminate free radicals. Broccoli also helps boost your immune system as you age.
Q: How do I protect my heart when I have diabetes? What preventive measures can I take to keep my heart healthy?
A: Diabetes is knows as a silent killer. almost 60 to 70% diabetics are know to have heart related ailments. Its good to keep a check on your diabetes and also keep checking you heart health from time to time.
- Eating broccoli and other vegetables such as cauliflower, radish, cabbage, turnips may help to a certain extent as they also contain Sulforaphane. Eating broccoli in steamed form or even raw will help preserve all the nutrients to a large extent.
- Shedding excess weight can also lower the risk of diabetes and heart related ailments. Exercising regularly, even brisk walks each day can help you reduce weight. Of course, a healthy diet is required with regular exercise.
- Keeping control on your stress levels by meditation, and other forms of relaxation will help you keep your blood pressure under control.
In summary, broccoli may help control diabetes and heart related ailments, but you got to include other prevention measures such as exercise, healthy diet and stress control among a few things to keep you heart healthy while managing your diabetes.
Selecting Broccoli
- Always select broccoli that has a deep, dark, green color. The stalks should be firm and not soft.
- Yellow and wilted leaves and stalks indicate much loss of nutrient value.
- Broccoli is highly perishable.
- Do not wash broccoli before refrigerating.
Nutritional Highlights Of Broccoli
- This low calorie vegetable is a nutrient dense food.
- It is rich in vitamin C.
- It also is loaded with vitamin K and vitamin A, and fiber.
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