- Everything You Should Know About Juicing Diets
- How Has the Mind Body Link Turned into a Connection with our Smart Phones?
- Is Turmeric a Superior Alternative to Pills for PMS Symptoms?
- 6 Simple Yoga Asanas to Crush Stress Everyday
- Juicer vs Blender – Which is the Best Option?
- 7 ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS YOU MAY BE MISSING IN YOUR DIET
- 26 Advantages of Detox Juicing Recipes
- Everything You Need to Know About Juicing Beets
- Power Yoga: The Ultimate Answer To Weight Loss
- 13 Amazing Grapefruit Juice Benefits
9 Amazing Health Benefits of Broccoli!
Health Benefits of Broccoli
Welcome to Wellness Wednesday and the power food broccoli.
You’ll want to include broccoli as one of the cruciferous vegetables you eat on a regular basis if you want to receive the fantastic health benefits provided by this cruciferous vegetable considered a power food.
This nutritional powerhouse supplies loads of nutrients for little calories.
If you are trying to eat healthier, broccoli should be at the very top of your grocery list. At a minimum, include it as part of your diet 2-3 times per week, and make the serving size at least 1-1/2 cups.
Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like broccoli decreases the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and overall mortality while promoting a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy and overall lower weight.
1. Cancer Prevention
Johns Hopkins University published a cancer study showing that broccoli prevented the development of tumors by 60 percent and helped reduce the size of the tumor by 75 percent!
Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, which the body processes into the anti-cancer compound sulforaphane. This compound rids the body of H. pylori, a bacterium found to highly increase the risk of gastric cancer. Furthermore, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a powerful antioxidant compound and anti-carcinogen found to not only hinder the growth of breast, cervical and prostate cancer, but also boosts liver function.
Broccoli shares these cancer fighting, immune boosting properties with other cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.
2. Cholesterol Reduction
Like many whole foods, broccoli is packed with soluble fiber that draws cholesterol out of your body.
3. Reducing Allergy Reaction and Inflammation
Broccoli is a particularly rich source of kaempferol and isothiocyanates, both anti-inflammatory phyto nutrients. Research has shown the ability of kaempferol to lessen the impact of allergy-related substances on our body. Broccoli even has significant amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, which are well know as an anti-inflammatory.
4. Powerful Antioxidant
Of all the cruciferous vegetables, broccoli stands out as the most concentrated source of vitamin C, plus the flavonoids necessary for vitamin C to recycle effectively. Also concentrated in broccoli are the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, other powerful antioxidants.
5. Bone Health
Broccoli contains high levels of both calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis.
6. Heart Health
The anti-inflammatory properties of sulforaphane, one of the isothiocyanates (ITCs) in broccoli, may be able to prevent (or even reverse) some of the damage to blood vessel linings that can be caused by inflammation due to chronic blood sugar problems.
7. Detoxification
Glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiin and glucobrassicin are special phytonutrients that support all steps in the body’s detox process, including activation, neutralization and elimination of unwanted contaminants. These three are in the perfect combination in broccoli. Broccoli also contains isothiocyanates (which you read about in inflammation), which help control the detox process at a genetic level.
8. Diet Aid
Broccoli is a smart carb and is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating. Furthermore, a cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.
9. Alkalizes Your Body
Like many vegetables, broccoli helps keep your whole body less acidic, which has a host of health benefits.
These are excellent reasons to add more broccoli in your diet and below are recipes to help you come “Juice With Us.”
Broccoli Pomegranate Detox Salad
- 1 pound broccoli (2 small heads)
- 1½ pound carrots, peeled
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
Avocado Dressing:
- 2 ripe avocados
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 Teaspoons sea salt
Instructions:
- Chop the broccoli heads and peel the stems of the broccoli and break into small pieces. Place in a food processor fitted with a chopping blade and pulse until small pieces remain. Set aside in a big bowl.
- Next, using the grater attachment, grate the carrots. Set aside with the broccoli. Add the pomegranate seeds and toasted pumpkin seeds and toss together.
- Rinse the food processor bowl place back on the base with the chopping blade to make the dressing. Peel the avocados and remove the pit. Place all ingredients in the food processor and blend until smooth. Toss dressing with the salad and serve.
You may refrigerate for a few hours before serving.
Oh Sweet Broc Juice
- 1/2 – 1 head of broccoli (florets and stalks)
- 2 oranges
- 1 cucumber
- 1 carrot
Directions
- Wash all produce well.
- Peel the oranges.
- Add all ingredients through juicer and enjoy!
Sources:
Doreen Correia
Latest posts by Doreen Correia (see all)
- The Omega 8003 Juicer Review - May 6, 2016
- 9 Amazing Health Benefits of Broccoli! - January 20, 2016
- How to Naturally Alleviate Menopause Symptoms - January 6, 2016
Related Posts
1 comment