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Broccoli : The Best of All Veggies
If you could pick one veggie that would boost your immune system, while providing protection from cancer and supply high levels of vitamins and minerals to your body to slow down the aging process and give the highest protein value next to Spinach for vitality and strength, what would it be? Learn why Broccoli is the all-round winner in providing you with the highest nutritional value of any vegetable, and 3 tips you can use for picking fresh, high-quality Broccoli every time!
Most veggies are relatively low in nutritional value compared to the few dozen or so that are literally a thousand times more powerful in providing nutritional value and, can make a positive difference in your health you can feel! And out of those dozen or so veggies, Broccoli would be at the very top!
If you haven't included fresh Broccoli in your daily diet up till now, you're going to scream!
Here's why Broccoli is so very good for you:
Broccoli is incredibly high in vitamin C, as well as dietary fiber; it is also packed with multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. One single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and just, a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent, proven modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Holy cow!
Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane, just don't boil it! Broccoli is also an excellent source of indole-3-carbinol, a chemical which boosts DNA repair in cells and blocks the growth of cancer cells. Steaming broccoli for 3-4 minutes is recommended to maximize potential anti-cancer compounds, such as sulforaphane, but don't worry if you don't like steaming, because fresh is always best!On the other hand, boiling reduces the levels of suspected anti-carcinogenic compounds in broccoli, with losses of 20 - 30% after five minutes, 40 - 50% after ten minutes, and 77% after thirty minutes. However, other preparation methods such as steaming, microwaving, and stir frying have no significant effect on the compounds: and we all know how tasty stir frying is!
If this wasn't enough, Broccoli has the highest levels of carotenoids in the brassica(cabbage)family. It is especially rich in lutein and also provides beta-carotene, which together are dynamite rejuvenators and slow down your aging process to a crawl!
So many men today are getting prostate cancer, but a high intake of Broccoli has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Daily Broccoli consumption has also been shown to be a Super-Hero in the prevention of heart disease and breast cancer. They say that Broccoli consumption is also associated with malodorous flatulence, which means, stinky farts (from metabolism of the sulfur-containing compounds it contains), but don't believe it! Everybody gets steamy, stinky farts for one reason or another, so why blame it on the Broccoli!
Now that you know why Broccoli is so good for you, and you know three tips for picking the best, freshest Broccoli this side of heaven, throw it in your salad, stir fry, or steam it as a side dish, and get the best nutrition, in one vegetable, mother nature has to offer! STAY ORGANICS!!
