The benefits and harms of broccoli for the human body

Broccoli, a cabbage family vegetable exotic to Russia, was developed as a hybrid of different varieties of asparagus. It was first widely used as a food in Italy, and its benefits later spread to Europe and Asia. Since 2011, China and India have been the leading broccoli growers, followed by European countries such as Spain, Israel, Turkey, and Italy. The beneficial properties of this asparagus cabbage have been appreciated by many people around the world. It is eaten fresh, cooked, and canned, added to various dishes, and used for medicinal purposes.

Compound

Broccoli ranks among the top Brassicaceae vegetables in terms of nutrient content. It contains vitamins and microelements that influence human metabolism and effectively improve the health of many internal organs.

100 grams of broccoli contains:

• carbohydrates - 6.6 mg;
• proteins - 2.8 mg;
• fats - 0.4 mg;
• dietary fiber - 2.6 mg;
• water - 89.3 mg.

Microelements and their impact on human health.

The vitamins and microelements found in broccoli, when combined with metabolic processes, form substances that can prevent the formation of cancer cells and slow their proliferation. Asparagus contains the following vitamins:

• vitamin A - 386 mcg;
• vitamin B 1 - 0.071 mg;
• vitamin B 2 - 0.117 mg;
• vitamin B 5 - 0.573 mg;
• vitamin B 6 - 0.175 mg;
• vitamin B 9 - 63 mcg;
• vitamin C - 89.2 mg;
• vitamin E - 0.78 mg;
• vitamin K - 101.6 mg;
• vitamin PP - 1.107 mg.

Varieties

Until recently, our gardeners didn't grow this cabbage in large quantities in their plots, but broccoli is gaining more and more fans every year. Having learned about the vegetable's benefits, gardeners are planting different varieties. varieties of this asparagus cabbage Along with traditional white cabbage and cauliflower, it's a member of a vast family. Like traditional cabbage, broccoli has many varieties, cultivars, and hybrids:

Broccoli varieties vary in flower color, density, main stem height, and yield. The earliest varieties mature in 65-70 days, while later varieties take at least 120 days to mature. The heads are primarily green, but some varieties can have a purple or even brown color. Monterey F1 is a high-yielding variety, with a single head weighing nearly 2 kilograms.

Health benefits

Eating broccoli is beneficial for people with diabetes. A small daily serving of broccoli lowers blood sugar levels and prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. Those with digestive disorders quickly experience improved gastrointestinal function.

Daily consumption of broccoli has a positive effect on normalizing blood pressure, strengthening the heart muscle, and supporting the nervous system. Blood composition gradually improves, and it is cleansed of harmful substances that contribute to circulatory problems.

For women

Women of all ages want to always be beautiful and slim, and eating broccoli also helps effectively with this:

• Cabbage oil improves skin condition, prolonging youth;
• Regular consumption of broccoli strengthens hair, protects against hair loss and gives it shine;
• nail plates become stronger, their fragility decreases, cuticles look healthy and do not peel off from the nails;
• Cabbage is used in dietary nutrition for weight loss because it is able to break down fat and prevent its deposition on the hips and abdomen.

For men

After age 50, men are at risk of prostate inflammation and even cancer. Regular consumption of broccoli helps prevent this. The substances it contains reduce the risk of inflammation and inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors, preventing their progression.

It is no secret that young people today are at an earlier age at risk of this disease, so it is recommended to include dishes containing broccoli in the daily menu in order to prevent prostate cancer.

For pregnant and nursing mothers

During pregnancy, a woman's body requires special attention, as the normal development of the fetus in utero depends entirely on the mother's well-being. Subsequent breastfeeding also affects the health of both mother and child. The complex of vitamins, microelements, and other beneficial substances found in broccoli strengthens the immune system, providing reliable protection against viruses and pathogens.

Serotonin and folate, produced when eating cabbage, improve appetite and sleep, lift mood, and protect the nervous system from postpartum depression. A small daily serving of this amazing product in the diet of expectant or nursing mothers effectively and positively impacts the overall well-being of both mother and baby.

For children and the elderly

The health benefits of broccoli for children and the elderly cannot be overstated. At any age, cabbage has positive effects on the human body:

1. This product is hypoallergenic and does not have a negative effect on people with sensitivities to many allergens (except for individual intolerance). Suitable for children from a very young age and the elderly. can you eat broccoli daily, but in reasonable quantities.
2. Children and the elderly who love broccoli receive sufficient vitamins and microelements that strengthen their health and have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system, which is important both for growing bodies and for the health of weakened grandparents.
3. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for young children and the elderly. Broccoli breaks down dietary fat and prevents excess fat from accumulating in the walls of internal organs, hips, and abdomen.

Medicinal properties

The presence of a huge number of vitamins, microelements and substances, beneficial to human health, allows the use of broccoli in the treatment of many diseases, including it in a complex of therapeutic measures as a dietary product.

Harm to health and contraindications

Like all foods, broccoli, when fried in fat or vegetable oils, releases carcinogens that are harmful to the body. If these substances accumulate, they can lead to serious internal diseases.

It is recommended to consume cabbage in smaller portions for people susceptible to:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gastritis with a pronounced increase in acidity;
• ulcerative diseases or dysfunction of the pancreas;
• allergic reactions or intolerance to broccoli consumption due to individual characteristics of the body.

Patients with such diseases should limit their consumption of cabbage, adding it to food in small doses, or completely exclude it from the diet.

What to cook with cabbage

There are many recipes for preparing dishes with broccoli, but we offer only a few examples:

Broccoli with cheese

For 500 g of cabbage you will need:

• hard cheese - 100 g,
• milk - 200 ml,
• 2 eggs,
• vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons.
• salt and pepper to taste.

Preparation:

Blanch the broccoli in boiling water for 2-5 minutes, drain in a colander, and transfer to a greased frying pan. Heat the broccoli for 5-7 minutes, then place in a baking dish. Prepare a mixture of cheese, eggs, and milk, pour it over the vegetables, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Broccoli in sour cream

For 800 g of broccoli you will need:

• sour cream - 250 g,
• mayonnaise - 2.5 spoons,
• spices and herbs to taste - basil, salt, pepper, vinegar
• juice of 0.5 lemon.

Preparation:

Boil the cabbage until tender, then mix all the spices and herbs with sour cream and mayonnaise. Transfer the cauliflower florets to a salad bowl and pour the sour cream sauce over them.

Reviews

Gardeners who grow broccoli on their plots of land, they know a lot about its benefits and are ready to share their opinions on what they consider most important in this unique cabbage.

 

Sokolov Roman Konstantinovich, 30 years old

My wife and I planted broccoli for the first time last year. We have a large greenhouse, plenty of room for all these healthy vegetables. The broccoli grew beautifully; we learned about its benefits from our neighbors at the dacha, and buying it at the store is very expensive. Now we have our own healthy vegetable. We add the florets to salads, soups, and main courses, and we give them to our children and parents, which is perhaps why we rarely get sick.

 

Ivanov Petr Valerievich, 65 years old

I used to buy broccoli at the store or market, but it was expensive, so five years ago I found a place in my garden to grow this healthy cabbage. During this time, I learned all the necessary conditions for getting good harvests from small plots of land. Now we only eat our own young, fresh cabbage. I've known about its benefits for a long time. I have diabetes, and cabbage helps me stay healthy; I don't get colds at all. Broccoli should be consumed, but not overused, to avoid complications.

 

Petrova Klavdiya Sergeevna, 44 years old

I have a special plot at my dacha where I grow healthy herbs and vegetables. I've found room there for broccoli, too. I used to get colds often, and my immune system was weakened, but after regularly eating broccoli, I began to notice that I get colds less and less often, and when I do get sick, I cope with them more easily. My overall health has also improved: my blood pressure hasn't risen, and my blood sugar is always normal.

Conclusion

Broccoli, a unique vegetable rich in vitamins and nutrients, is enjoying well-deserved popularity these days. The medicinal properties of this amazing vegetable have already been recognized by nutritionists, cosmetologists, therapists, and many other medical professionals. They successfully use these properties in the treatment and prevention of cancer, digestive disorders, and nervous system disorders. Nutritionists use it as a component of dietary menus, and cosmetologists use it for rejuvenating the skin of the hands and face.