Broccoli is a very healthy vegetable. In any case, that is certain. In recent years we have been inundated with facts about broccoli. It is said to be a superfood, but is that true? Broccoli is attributed healing properties. To what extent is that justified? Can broccoli prevent or even cure diseases? And if broccoli is so healthy, how should you prepare it? NB! This article is written from the personal view of the author and may contain information that is not scientifically substantiated and/or in line with the general view.

Contents:

• Vitamins in broccoli
• Minerals and amino acid
• Broccoli against cancer
• Steam, boil or stir-fry briefly
• Detox with broccoli
• Broccoli, against burnt skin
• Is broccoli a superfood?
• Broccoli in the food

Vitamins in broccoli

Broccoli is said to help prevent cancer, help the skin repair damage caused by burning and is good for the eyes. These are nice claims, but is there a scientific basis behind them? This originally Italian vegetable is certainly full of vitamins. Only 60 grams of broccoli is enough for the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C. 80 Grams of broccoli is enough for the RDA of vitamin K. It is also packed with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B11 (folic acid), vitamin A and EA C and E are the strongest antioxidants among the vitamins.

Minerals and amino acid

Broccoli also contains a broad spectrum of minerals. Manganese, potassium, molybdenum, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, selenium, zinc and iron are contained in large quantities in the green brother of the cauliflower. It also contains the amino acid tryptophan.

Broccoli against cancer

After eating broccoli, the body is able to remove toxins. This is mainly due to the presence of natural vitamins A, C and E, which are strong antioxidants. These help stop oxidation processes and prevent inflammation. Detox, oxidation and inflammation at the cellular level are linked to the development of cancer. The toxin-removing properties of vitamins are enhanced by phytonutrients with antioxidant properties. Kaempferol, quercetin, carotenoid lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene are key substances when it comes to the antioxidant effect in the body. These substances enhance the detox effect of the A, C and E vitamins present.

Steam, boil or stir-fry briefly

To preserve the medicinal properties of broccoli, the vegetable should be steamed or boiled very briefly. Cooking and steaming time is maximum 5 minutes. Broccoli soup that has been cooked for hours is a lot less nutritious. Try to make broccoli soup with the shortest cooking time possible. In addition, cooking for a long time gives the broccoli a bad taste. It is also recommended to cut the florets from the broccoli and add them raw to a salad. Broccoli is also used as a stir-fry vegetable. Stir-frying can cause a lot of damage to nutrients, but on the other hand it should be done even less quickly because the small-cut stir-fry vegetables are cooked sooner than large cooked stumps. The maximum stir-frying time for broccoli is 3 minutes.

Detox with broccoli

Detoxing happens in two phases. During the first phase, a toxin is prepared in the liver to leave the body. The toxin is then considered a dangerous free radical that must be further tackled in phase two. During the second phase, toxins can leave the body without causing any danger. Isothiocyanate is a substance in broccoli that is formed from glucosinolate. This substance forms phase 1 in the detoxification process. Phase 2 is triggered by enzymes. Isothiocyanate is able to change the enzymes that are responsible for phase 2 of the detox. Broccoli takes care of both phases of the detox. The toxins can cause cancer. Broccoli is a detox vegetable that fits well in an anti-cancer diet.Scientific research has shown that eating 320 grams of broccoli per week reduces the risk of cancer. 

Broccoli, against burnt skin

In addition to detox and anti-cancer effects, broccoli has several other health-promoting properties. The fiber in broccoli ensures good digestion and good absorption of all important nutrients. Sulforaphane, a substance produced in the body after eating broccoli, helps sunburned skin recover faster. Broccoli is a vegetable that accelerates the production of vitamin D from sunlight.

Is broccoli a superfood?

To answer the question of whether broccoli is really that healthy and whether it stands out above other vegetables in terms of medicinal properties, we can safely say: “Yes.” Broccoli contains a relatively large number of healthy nutrients, more than in other vegetables. That is why the superfood label is appropriate. However, there is no reason to eat broccoli every day.Spinach, cauliflower and carrots are all very healthy too; every vegetable has just a little more of a certain type of vitamin and mineral. To get all the necessary substances, it is important to eat a different vegetable every day. Maybe two or three different types a day. Variety is the magic word. If you vary, you will get all the nutrients.

Broccoli in the food

We can eat many more vegetables than just with a hot meal. We can eat salads for lunch or dinner. We can eat snack vegetables and drink vegetable smoothies. Although some people enjoy munching on a raw broccoli stem, it is not an ideal snack vegetable like cucumber, tomato and radish. Broccoli fits well in a vegetable smoothie and the top, the small balls can easily be sprinkled over a salad.