Broccoli
The name broccoli is derived from the Italian plural for Broccoli, which refers to the flowering tips of the cabbage. This is a plant that is found in the Kale family. The vegetable has large flowering heads surrounded by leaves. It most closely resembles cauliflowers. It is usually prepared by boiling, steaming or even stir frying. It may also be eaten raw.
Boiling this vegetable, however, reduces the levels of anti-cancer compounds that are suspected to be contained in it. The other methods of preparation like steaming, boiling or stir frying pose no significant effects to these anti-cancer compounds. The vegetable is high in vitamin C as well as dietary fiber. This vegetable is also an excellent source of Indole-3-Carbinol which is a chemical that boosts DNA repair in our body’s cells, and which also appears to block the growth of cancerous cells. A diet rich in this vegetable has also been found to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Its consumption has also been proved to be effective in preventing heart disease.
There are three main varieties of this vegetable. The most common is simply referred to as broccoli. It has large green heads and thick stalks. It is a seasonal crop. The sprouting variety has a large number of heads within many stalks. There is a compound found in the sprouting variety that appears to be more effective than modern antibiotics in the prevention of peptic ulcers caused by some bacteria. The vegetable is planted in May and then harvested in winter or in the early third of the year in temperate climates. Purple cauliflower is a type of this vegetable that is sold in southern Italy, Spain and the UK. It has a head shaped like a cauliflower but which consists of tiny flowering buds.
Other health benefits of broccoli are that it helps to prevent stomach cancer, which is the most common type of cancer. It has also been proven to help in the fight against lung cancer. Broccoli sprouts are proven to be just as beneficial as the fully grown vegetable. This vegetable is one of the healthiest foods that you can eat. It beats most other vegetables in health benefits. For more beta-carotene, choose vegetables with darker leaves especially those with a purplish hue. It is a great vegetable for helping to maintain a glowing skin. It also protects the eyes against cataracts. The calcium found in this vegetable is very essential for good bone health.
Finally, broccoli is a great vegetable for nutrition in pregnant women. Being rich in fiber, it will also aid in digestion and prevent constipation. This vegetable also helps insulin in our bodies to function properly. This in turn regulates our blood sugar and therefore helps preventing high blood pressure. Other nutrients that are found in this vegetable include carbohydrates, Omega-3 fatty acids, proteins vitamins A, B complex, vitamins C and E, beta carotenes, calcium and magnesium. To enjoy these benefits you need to eat this great vegetable a day or two after purchasing it.
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