by Brian Lamacraft

Created on: March 23, 2009

Broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrition. This green vegetable that resembles a tree is one of the most beneficial vegetables you can add to your daily diet. It has numerous healthy benefits for the body.

One cup of steamed broccoli contains 205% of your daily requirement for vitamin C which is more than your average orange. Broccoli is also an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, and dietary fiber. This vegetable also contains manganese, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin B2, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin E, vitamin B1, and vitamin B3. It is easy to see that all the vitamins and minerals contained in broccoli make it a very nutritious vegetable.

This vegetable offers protection from cancer. It contains the phytonutrients sulforaphane which have anti-cancer effects. These compounds have been shown in studies to limit tumor growths and ones that did form were much smaller then regular tumors. Diets high in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower have been shown to limit the growth of many cancers including, breast, colon, lung, ovarian, prostate and bladder cancers.

Phytonutrients compounds in broccoli help to detoxify the body by removing harmful substances called free radicals that damage our cells and lead to diseases such as cancer. Broccoli appears to be very good at this process. You can lower your risk of cancer by just consuming 3-5 servings of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli a week. The most benefit is obtained from lightly steaming the vegetables. Broccoli has also been shown to help prevent heart disease in the body.

This vegetable also appears to support proper stomach health and may help to eliminate or prevent infections in the stomach especially the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Broccoli may also help to repair sun damaged skin. Compounds in broccoli have been shown to enhance the detoxify abilities of the skin and liver and even repair sun damaged skin cells.

The calcium and vitamin C combination in broccoli helps to strengthen bones. Vitamin C helps with calcium absorption. The vitamin C also helps to boost the immune system in the body. The folic acid in broccoli is helpful for women who are pregnant. Folic acid deficiency is one of the most common ones during pregnancy and has been linked to birth defects.

This vegetable can trace its roots back to Italy and was even cultivated as far back as ancient Rome. Broccoli was introduced to America by Italian immigrants during colonial times.

Pick broccoli that is fresh and avoid florets that are brown or discolored. The stalks and stems should be firm. Keep the vegetable in a plastic bag in the crisper. Broccoli will last a bout a week in the fridge. Do not wash the vegetable before storing as this will promote spoilage. Wash it once you intent to use it. Broccoli is best slightly steamed or raw.

Try adding this vegetable to your daily diet and enjoy all the nutrition and health benefits it provides you.

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