Health Benefits of Broccoli, Uses And Its Side Effects

Broccoli helps to fight certain forms of cancer like breast cancer, cancer of the uterus, prostate cancer and also cancer of various internal organs like lungs, liver, intestines, colon and kidneys. These cruciferous vegetables have a sulphur-containing compound known as sulforaphane, which has cancer-fighting capabilities.

Sulforaphane can inhibit the enzyme histone deacetylase (HDAC) which is responsible for the progression of cancer cells. Folate, a vitamin, is known for decreasing the risk of breast cancer in women. Apart from these, other anti-carcinogenic compounds like glucoraphanin, diindolylmethane, beta-carotene, selenium and others found in broccoli help to fight cancer.

Broccoli contains a rich content of Vitamin K which is extremely beneficial for our bones. Vitamin K helps to improve bone health by improving the body’s ability to absorb calcium and also reducing excretion of calcium through urine.

Include broccoli in your diet to prevent your bones from getting weak and, in this process, getting fractured.

Broccoli contains Vitamin C which is a really good anti-oxidant and which protects your skin against damage by sun and pollution. It also helps to reduce wrinkles and improves the overall texture of the skin. This is because Vitamin C helps in the formation of collagen, which is the main protective system of the skin. Broccoli also provides Vitamin A and Vitamin E, both of which are good for your skin.

Broccoli contains nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, sulphur, silica and germanium which are good for your hair. Vitamin A and Vitamin C stimulate the production of sebum, an oil-based secretion, which acts as a natural moisturizer and conditioner for your scalp and hair. The calcium present in broccoli helps to strengthen the hair follicles.

Broccoli helps to detoxify your body as it contains Vitamin C, sulphur and certain amino acids. Including broccoli in your diet will help you you to remove the free radicals and toxins like uric acid from your body.

Health benefits of eating Broccoli includes prevention from problems associated with toxins like boils, itches, rashes, gout, arthritis, rheumatism and even skin diseases like eczema and hardening of the skin.

Broccoli is rich in soluble fiber, which helps to eliminate cholesterol from your body. This happens as the fiber helps bind cholesterol to bile acids in the digestive tract and this makes it easy to excrete cholesterol.

A study has also shown that a particular variety of broccoli can reduce the blood LDL-cholesterol levels by up to 6 percent.

Broccoli helps to reduce reactions to allergies as it contains kaempferol which helps to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances in our body. Omega-3 fatty acids, which are also found in broccoli, help to reduce inflammation.

Sulforaphane is another chemical found in broccoli which blocks the enzymes that can cause joint destruction. So consuming broccoli can be beneficial for a person suffering from arthritis.

Broccoli contains fiber or roughage which is instrumental in curing constipation. This helps to cure almost all disorders of the stomach as constipation is the root cause of most stomach disorders.

The fiber present in broccoli adds bulk to the food that you consume, retains water and allows for smooth bowel movements. Broccoli also contains magnesium and vitamins which help to soothe the stomach by reducing inflammation.

In addition to high content of fiber, broccoli also has high levels of beta-carotene, Omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins which are necessary for a healthy heart. They reduce the levels of bad cholesterol and keep the heart functioning properly by regulating blood-pressure.

Potassium, found in broccoli , enhances blood flow and oxygenation of essential organs by reducing tensions and stress in veins and blood vessels. Broccoli also contains Sulforaphane which helps prevent damage to blood vessel linings that can be caused by inflammation if a person has chronic blood sugar problem.

Vitamin C, beta-carotene and other vitamins and minerals like selenium, copper, zinc and phosphorus are present in significant quantities in broccoli. They help to strengthen your immune system and protect your body from a number of diseases and infections.

Broccoli contains proteins, vitamins, calcium, antioxidants, detoxifiers and other important nutrients and can prove to be extremely beneficial for pregnant women. It will help prevent constipation during pregnancy as it is rich in fibers. The folate in broccoli ensures that there are no defects in the brain and spine or spinal cord of babies during birth.