Broccoli is dark green leafy vegetables types of Brassica, a family of plants that includes kale, cabbage, and cauliflower. This vegetable originated from Italy, where the name 'broccoli' is derived from the Italian broccolo word, which means 'branch' and was first cultivated in the 17th or 18th century. Broccoli including vegetables are low in calories and can be regarded as a super food, because this vegetable is rich in various nutrients that are very good. The nutritional value of broccoli can be regarded as a power generator iron, protein, calcium, chromium, carbohydrate, vitamin A and vitamin C. Broccoli is a vegetable with the highest rank as a traditional anticancer drug, because it also contains important phytochemicals and antioxidants that can fight various diseases and infection.
Here is the nutritional content contained in broccoli:
- Broccoli contains energy, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that are useful for our body. Broccoli is a vegetable low in calories, fat, and sodium, free from saturated fat, high in potassium, and no cholesterol
- Vegetables are best grown in colder climates and soil moisture is an excellent source of fiber. The fiber content in broccoli even more than the existing fiber in wheat bread. This fiber is very good for the digestive system.
- Broccoli also contains folic acid. Folate is one of the vitamins that are good and beneficial for pregnant women and fetuses.
- The content of vitamin C in broccoli are very high. Vitamin C found in broccoli higher than in an orange. High vitamin C will be easier for the body to absorb iron.
- The content of calcium in broccoli is almost equivalent to in a glass of milk (71.8 mg; broccoli calcium equivalent to 120 ml of milk calcium).
- Vitamin K contained in broccoli are also important for strong bones and helps blood clot.
- Broccoli also contains carotene and lutein.
Besides the many nutrient that are contained in broccoli, the benefits of eating this vegetables is also not small. Some of the benefits of broccoli, among others:
- Keeping the nervous system. High potassium content in broccoli may help maintain a healthy nervous system and optimal brain function, as well as encourage the development of muscles.
- Setting the blood pressure. The content of magnesium and calcium can help in regulating blood pressure.
- Fighting free radicals. A cup of broccoli contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that is needed to fight free radicals. In addition, vitamin C is an effective antihistamine to relieve discomfort of influenza attack.
- Maintaining bone health. Broccoli contains calcium and vitamin K are high, it is very important for bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
- Maintaining healthy skin. Broccoli is very helpful in repairing damaged skin due to certain things such as injuries due to sunlight. Glucoraphanin contained in broccoli can help repair skin damage.
- Keeping the immune system. A cup of broccoli contains beta-carotene, which can keep the immune system. The content of minerals such as zinc and selenium are the main factors that can maintain the body's immune defenses.
- Preventing from Cancer. Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, where the body will process it into an anti-cancer compound, sulforaphane. These compounds will expel the bacteria in the body, Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium which is known to increase the risk of gastric cancer. In addition, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a great compound antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and can improve liver function.
- Containing high-fiber. Broccoli is rich in fiber, which can help digestion, prevent constipation, maintain a stable blood sugar, and helps you to prevent excessive eating. In addition to fiber, a cup of broccoli also contains high protein, is almost equivalent to a cup of rice or corn, but low in calories.
- Maintaining eye health. Broccoli is also known to help maintain eye health. Research shows that the lutein carotenoids (organic pigments) found in broccoli can prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts as well, and have anti-cancer effects. Moreover, broccoli is a major source of vitamin A which is required to form the retina.
- Maintaining healthy heart. Lutein carotenoids contained in broccoli may slow or prevent the thickening of the arteries in the human body, so it can fight heart disease and stroke. Vitamin B6 and folic acid in broccoli can also reduce atherosclerosis, inflammation in human blood vessels.
- Keeping the nervous system. High potassium content in broccoli may help maintain a healthy nervous system and optimal brain function, as well as encourage the development of muscles.
- Setting the blood pressure. The content of magnesium and calcium can help in regulating blood pressure.
- Fighting free radicals. A cup of broccoli contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that is needed to fight free radicals. In addition, vitamin C is an effective antihistamine to relieve discomfort of influenza attack.
- Maintaining bone health. Broccoli contains calcium and vitamin K are high, it is very important for bone health and prevent osteoporosis.
- Maintaining healthy skin. Broccoli is very helpful in repairing damaged skin due to certain things such as injuries due to sunlight. Glucoraphanin contained in broccoli can help repair skin damage.
- Keeping the immune system. A cup of broccoli contains beta-carotene, which can keep the immune system. The content of minerals such as zinc and selenium are the main factors that can maintain the body's immune defenses.
- Preventing from Cancer. Broccoli contains glucoraphanin, where the body will process it into an anti-cancer compound, sulforaphane. These compounds will expel the bacteria in the body, Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium which is known to increase the risk of gastric cancer. In addition, broccoli contains indole-3-carbinol, a great compound antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic in inhibiting the growth of breast cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and can improve liver function.
- Containing high-fiber. Broccoli is rich in fiber, which can help digestion, prevent constipation, maintain a stable blood sugar, and helps you to prevent excessive eating. In addition to fiber, a cup of broccoli also contains high protein, is almost equivalent to a cup of rice or corn, but low in calories.
- Maintaining eye health. Broccoli is also known to help maintain eye health. Research shows that the lutein carotenoids (organic pigments) found in broccoli can prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts as well, and have anti-cancer effects. Moreover, broccoli is a major source of vitamin A which is required to form the retina.
- Maintaining healthy heart. Lutein carotenoids contained in broccoli may slow or prevent the thickening of the arteries in the human body, so it can fight heart disease and stroke. Vitamin B6 and folic acid in broccoli can also reduce atherosclerosis, inflammation in human blood vessels.
From the above, of course, don't forget to always include broccoli in our diet daily.