Never mind that broccoli belongs to modest cabbage family it still carries a fancy Italian name that literally means “the flowering top of cabbage”. Broccoli proved that it’s not only about its fancy name and good looks, it is also a spectacular package of disease fighters. Abundant in anti-oxidants, including glutathione, beta carotene, quercetin, vitamin C, lutein, sulforaphane, indoles, broccoli makes you stand up and take notice.
Here are some great reasons to eat more broccoli:
- Broccoli is rich in boron. Boron is a trace mineral that appears to affect the electric activity of the brain, which makes fruits and vegetables rich in boron a great brain food. If you skip on boron your mental alertness diminishes, you become sluggish and you might have problems with performing some tasks.
- Broccoli is also “sexy” – it is able to actually regulate estrogen in your body. In men two cups of fresh broccoli will restore “tired” sperm to normal functioning.
- Broccoli speeds up the removal of estrogen from the body, helping suppress breast cancer. Similarly broccoli may help reduce fibrocystic breast disease, because excessive estrogen seems to aggravate breast lumps.
- It does wonders to your blood sugar levels. If you have type II diabetes, eating chromium-rich broccoli can help you regulate blood sugar and reduce medication and insulin needs. Only one cup of broccoli contains 22 micrograms of chromium – ten times more than any other food!
- Broccoli is rich in fiber, which helps solve digestive problems and lower cholesterol levels.
- It also has antiviral and anti-ulcer activity.
Note that broccoli is most protective when eaten raw or lightly cooked. Cooking and processing broccoli destroy some of its protective functions. Try steaming broccoli just until it’s very bright green and tender. Toss with a little olive oil and garlic, and a few flakes of red pepper.