Thanks to the climatic conditions of our beautiful country where all four seasons coexist, we have the chance to grow the most abundant of all kinds of vegetables. But as if these vegetables were not enough, in recent years we have started to talk about a vegetable called broccoli. Broccoli, which even the USA recognized thanks to Italian immigrants in the 20th century, has been grown organically in our country since the 1980s.

If you ask, “But why grow broccoli?”, the answer is hidden in the components of this vegetable. Broccoli’s natural components such as vitamins and minerals have great benefits for human health. From supporting against cancer to improving heart health, broccoli also acts as a real superhero for digestive problems.

The benefits of broccoli, many of which you will hear for the first time:

• It has rich nutritional values in terms of vitamins and minerals.
• It is a complete antioxidant store.
• It is the enemy of inflammation.
• It has protective properties against different types of cancer.
• It is the number one friend of diabetics.
• It reduces risk factors that negatively affect heart health.
• Broccoli also comes to the rescue of those who have digestive problems.
• It is the key to healthy brain function.
• Indispensable for a strong immune system.
• Broccoli is the way to healthy mouth and teeth.
• Strengthens bones and joints.

It has rich nutritional values in terms of vitamins and minerals:

One serving of 91 grams of raw broccoli contains 6 grams of carbohydrates, 26 grams of protein and 0.3 grams of fat. When you eat a serving of broccoli, you will get 135 percent of vitamin C, 11 percent of vitamin A, 116 percent of vitamin K, 14 percent of vitamin B9 (folate), 6 percent of phosphorus and 3 percent of selenium. When you consume it raw or steamed, there is no decrease in these nutritional values.

It is a complete antioxidant store:

Free radicals in our body cause cell damage. The most effective substance to prevent them is antioxidants. Broccoli contains a substance called sulforaphane. This substance turns into a powerful antioxidant during digestion. Sulforaphane, which is a rich source of antioxidants, also stabilizes blood sugar, balances cholesterol levels and prevents the development of chronic diseases. Lutein and zeaxanthin, another source of antioxidants in broccoli, also prevent cell damage in the eyes.

It is the enemy of inflammation:

It is abundant in broccoli from bioactive compounds that are effective on inflammation, that is, inflammation that occurs in our body due to many different reasons. It has been observed that more than one substance in broccoli content works together on inflammation. Studies on kaempferol, one of these substances, have shown that it has an extremely strong anti-inflammatory capacity. It is especially effective on the difficult inflammations that occur in smokers.

It has protective properties against different types of cancer:

Of course, more studies are needed, but broccoli is rich in bioactive compounds that prevent cell damage caused by cancer diseases. These compounds are thought to be particularly effective on breast, prostate, stomach, colorectal, kidney and bladder cancers. Similar compounds are found in all vegetables belonging to the cruciferous family, including broccoli.

It is the number one friend of diabetics:

Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, which is a condition in which the pancreas cannot secrete enough insulin, creates a high insulin resistance in the person. The rich antioxidants and fibrous structure of broccoli play an effective role in reducing insulin resistance. In one study, a group of type 2 diabetics who ate broccoli every day had a noticeable decrease in insulin resistance. In a different study, it was found to have a healing effect on damaged pancreatic cells, but more research is needed to speak definitively.

Reduces risk factors that negatively affect heart health:

High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides are risk factors that negatively affect heart health. The compounds in broccoli play an important role in bringing these values exactly where they should be. Its antioxidants reduce the risk of sudden heart attack. Animal experiments have also shown that it has a protective effect against cell death caused by cardiac arrest.

Broccoli also comes to the rescue of those who have digestive problems:

Digestive problems can be uncomfortable on their own, but they can also cause many other conditions. Digestive problems are generally caused by a deficiency of certain bacterial communities. Broccoli’s dense fiber and antioxidant-rich content ensures that these necessary bacteria are formed and maintained. Broccoli not only has a healing effect on inflammation in the intestines, but also helps with easy defecation.

It is the key to healthy brain function:

Especially with aging, mental decline occurs as our healthy brain and nerve tissue functions are damaged. A study of 960 elderly people showed that eating one serving of broccoli a day had a preventive effect on mental decline. A bioactive compound called sulforaphane in broccoli has the potential to prevent problems that occur when oxygen to the brain is reduced. A different compound called kaempferol has the effect of reducing brain damage and nerve inflammation.

Essential for a strong immune system:

Even if you do not have any health problems, you should always keep your immune system strong to protect yourself from future diseases. The key to a strong immune system is vitamin C. The amount of vitamin C to be taken daily is recommended as 100 – 200 mg on average. When you eat one serving of raw or steamed broccoli a day, you will get the required amount.

Broccoli is the way to healthy mouth and teeth:

The number one enemy of oral and dental diseases is vitamin C and calcium. Broccoli is extremely rich in these two components. The kaempferol substance in its content plays an active role in the prevention of these diseases. Sulforaphane reduces the risk of oral cancer. Although it is not certain, consuming raw broccoli prevents dental plaque and whitens teeth, but there is no scientific data to support this yet.

Strengthens bones and joints:

Vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus and zinc, which play an active role in the elimination of bone and joint disorders that occur for many different reasons and can cause many different ailments, are abundant in broccoli. These compounds are extremely important, especially in the healing of joint inflammation.

We have listed some of the known benefits of broccoli, which looks like small trees and its content is even richer than we expected. What we have told is for informational purposes only. As with all health issues, remember that you should get the most accurate and personalized information about broccoli consumption from a specialist physician.