Broccoli is one of the vegetables that are most beneficial to our health because it contains a complete nutrition. It consists of many important chemicals that sustain the body such as anti-inflammatory nutrients, detox-support nutrients, antioxidant nutrients, and anti-cancer nutrients.
Broccoli juice includes pre-digested nutrients which give rest to your digestive system. Broccoli juice is a rich source of vitamins A, B, C and E, calcium, iron, copper and zinc. It is also contains antioxidants and fiber.
Vitamin E is the most important vitamin against the effects of aging and to keep you young. Vitamin E is a powerful fat soluble antioxidant blocks fat oxidation, rejuvenates our immune systems, helps keep arteries clear and slows down brain and blood aging. It can be found in a wide range of food sources but fatty foods are the best sources, such as oils, nuts, seeds and wheat germs.
Broccoli contains chromium, a substance that helps to lower the blood sugar levels in your body. Broccoli is also plentiful in nutrients such as thiamin, phosphorus and iron. Broccoli also contains additional phytochemicals, which include beta carotene, indoles and isothiocyanates.
Runners should be eating broccoli as it contains both calcium and Vitamin K. Both of these nutrients help keep your bones healthy. This is turn helps to ward off osteoporosis as you get older. Phytonutrients in broccoli help prevent breast cancer through deactivation of 4-hydroxysterone, an estrogen metabolite that encourages the growth of tumor in breast cells.
The advantage of eating raw broccoliis the fiber content. There is a great deal more bulk found in the raw vegetable. When broccoli is cooked the bulk or volume is broken down. Broccoli that has been frozen has about 35 percent more beta carotene than is measured in fresh broccoli.
You can combine broccoli with other vegetables such as zucchini, carrot, and cauliflower to make a raw vegetable salad. Add some mayonnaise and either mustard, ketchup or curry powder to give the salad a delicious flavor. The texture of the raw vegetables might seem unusual to you if you are used to eating cooked vegetables but raw broccoli or gently steamed broccoli is really good.
Broccoli can be eaten raw with dip or cooked. Steaming is the best way to cook it. Steam it to a tender crispiness. If it gets too dark of an olive green it is probably overcooked. When steamed correctly it should be bright green and not too soft when you poke it with a fork.
Squeeze some lemon or even have some melted butter on it at serving time. Making a salad with broccoli as the main ingredient is easy to do. You can use it raw or gently steam it. The salad dressing that you use will help you decide what to add to the salad. Try to be colorful in your food choices.