Learn to Love Broccoli for a Healthy Body

Broccoli is one of the cruciferous vegetables known to help the body fend off a host of health conditions, including heart disease and cancer and also a wonderful way to boost the immune system. Just a half-cup of this veggie provides 100 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin C. This delicious vegetable is also high in insoluble fiber and folate (a nutrient that also prevents birth defects) as well. Along with these important vitamins, broccoli contains high levels of cancer fighting compounds such as indole-3-carbinol. For women, this compound may inactivate tumor-causing estrogen that targets the breast. Broccoli is a super food to eat for so many reasons!

But Do You Know All the Other Health Benefits of Eating Broccoli?

As a woman with osteoporosis, I eat broccoli to help supplement my calcium. A cup provides about 140 milligram of calcium. To build bones a person needs a blend of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K. Eating broccoli provides these nutrients according to the vegetable calculators along with other greens such as collards, kale, bok choy and mustard greens. And thanks to advances in horticulture, you can obtain these same nutrients in broccoflower, which is a hybrid of broccoli and cauliflower.

Broccoli is kind to your heart too. It has no fat, contains loads of soluble fiber so it's good for your blood cholesterol level. Along with plenty of potassium, broccoli helps to lower blood pressure.

This veggie is also chock full of beta-carotene which converts in the body to vitamin A - a known antioxidant that prevents disease by getting rid of harmful, cell-damaging molecules that naturally accumulate in the body. Having this beta-carotene in the body helps to lower rates of heart attacks, cataracts and certain cancers. You can obtain 0.7 milligrams of beta-carotene in just a half-cup serving.

Lastly, to keep your digestive system running smoothly, consider eating broccoli. A half-cup provides two grams of fiber, which protects your system against constipation. In turn this fiber prevents hemorrhoids, colon cancer and even obesity.

How to Eat Broccoli

To maximize the best health benefits, broccoli eaten raw is the best to conserve all the nutrients. Add some florets in a salad or dip them into a healthy sauce. If you cook it, just lightly steam this veggie as overcooking it can destroy some protective compounds. Microwaving broccoli is okay too!

Since I love broccoli, I could eat it everyday. For some, this may not be an option, but make sure to fill your plate with a variety of vegetables and fruits daily - and the more crunchy cruciferous vegetables the better!