Broccoli has some great benefits. I enjoy eating it in salads as well as steamed. But my preference is to eat it steamed. I love the sight of beautiful green broccoli especially when it turns that beautiful green after steaming. Do you like broccoli? Well, if you don’t like broccoli, you should revisit it, because it not only tastes delicious, but it has health benefits too.
Health Benefits
Broccoli is packed with vitamins and minerals. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take your daily multivitamin. Just think of it as an added benefit and that you are getting some good nutrients from a whole food.
Broccoli is very high in vitamins C, K, A, folate and dietary fiber. It is also a good source of manganese, tryptophan, potassium, vitamin B6, B2, phosphorus, magnesium, protein, omega 3 fatty acids, iron, calcium, vitamin B1, B2, zinc and vitamin E.
Anti-inflammatory – Broccoli has a phytonutrient (flavonol) called kaempferol that helps lessen allergy-related substances. Kaempferol in broccoli can help lower the risk of chronic inflammation.
Antioxidant – Broccoli is very high in vitamin C. Along with other vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and carotenoids found in broccoli, these help to lower the risk of oxidative stress on the body.
Enhance detoxification – Isothiocynates found in broccoli helps to enhance the removal of dangerous toxins that threaten our cells.
Cancer Prevention – Since broccoli has a combination of anti-flammatory, antioxidant and detoxification properties, working together, they aid in cancer prevention. Research is strongest showing a decrease in prostate cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer and ovarian cancer.
Digestive support – Broccoli is a great source of fiber and helps. Fiber acts like a broom in your digestive system.
Cardiovascular support – Broccoli helps lower cholesterol. A recent study raw broccoli when steamed showed that the cholesterol-lowering ability of broccoli was improved.
The Story Behind Broccoli
Broccoli was grown in France and Italy in the sixteenth century, but was not well-known in this country until 1923, when D’Arrigo Brothers Company made a trial planting of Italian sprouting broccoli in California. A few crates were sent to Boston, and by 1925 the market was well established. Since then, the demand for broccoli has been steadily on the increase.
Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family. California, Arizona and Texas are the main broccoli-producing states.
Broccoli is often gas-forming, but if cooked in a steamer or over a very low fire, this may be avoided. Broccoli is best undercooked, because the greener that is left in the broccoli, the more chlorophyll will be left to counter act the sulfur compounds that cause gas.
Conclusion
I love broccoli and I especially enjoy it steamed with other vegetables. Broccoli is always the main vegetable when I have it with other vegetables. I love it just that much!
You can serve broccoli in many different ways. Have it raw in a salad, steamed, steamed with other vegetables over brown rice, with your favorite sauce or in a wonderful soup. It is a very versatile vegetable and it is so good for you.
Do you like broccoli? How do you like to eat your broccoli?
References: WH Foods: Broccoli
Foods That Heal
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Scientists have also demonstrated that the broccoli phytochemical sulforaphane selectively targets and destroys cancer cells while leaving normal prostate cells healthy and intact
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for sharing this information!
So great to find another healthy living blogger. Great post on broccoli, a notable cancer-fighting vegetable. I look forward to following your posts.
Hi Jeanette,
Thanks for visiting and commenting!
You have some awesome recipes on your blog. I can’t wait to try some of them. 😉
Broccoli rocks!
Take care,
Evelyn
I have to be honest, I hate broccoli, but I’ve heard that if you eat it every day it can add up to 8 years to your life. It’s a superfood!
Hi Ben,
Thanks for stopping by and chiming in!
It is definitely an acquired taste. I remember not liking broccoli when I was a child. The only way I could eat it back then was if I had tons of cheese sauce on it. But today, I can leave the cheese off and it is still good eating to me.
It really is a superfood!
Take care,
Evelyn
You must try roasted broccoli with olive oil, garlic and red pepper flakes! It’s so tasty and you can always roast other veggies along with it. 🙂 Count me in as a huge broccoli fan. 🙂
Hi Emma,
Now you are the second person who as mentioned something about roasted broccoli. I’ve never had it before, but you know I will definitely be trying it. 😉
Thanks for sharing how to prepare it, I will follow your recommendation. I can’t wait to try it!
Cool! 🙂
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn,
My son R calls Broccoli, “little trees”! In India one can not find broccoli easily there, so anyone who visits always wonder what type of vegetable it is. 🙂
There is a joke inside our friend circle, that you have not become true American, until you eat steamed broccoli with melted cheddar cheese!
I love broccoli in pasta, rice dish or as it is with vegan ranch dressing.
Side note; on your comments, what if real spammers clicks “confirm you are not spammer?”…? LOL
Hi Preeti,
“Little trees” that is so cute! They really do look like little trees.
Wow, I didn’t know that about broccoli being hard to find in India. I learn something new everyday.
You’re making me hungry with all the different ways you like to eat broccoli. Hmmm good! 😉
Side note response: Yeah, you’re right about the spammer.s This is a new plugin that I am trying and so far, spammers have not bothered me as much. I like it! 🙂
Thanks for sharing and for chiming in!
Take care,
Evelyn
Very informative post Evelyn thanks. Enjoyed you writing a bit about the history bit. I love broccoli and knew it was good for my health so eat if often; most nights in fact when it is in season.
Just moved into a new home yesterday and a very good friend turned up this morning with a big bag of vegies for me and brocooli was one of them. Will have in stir fry with heaps of other vegies tonight…yummo 🙂
Patricia Perth Australia
Hi Patricia,
That was very nice of your friend. I love stir fry veggies!
Enjoy! 😉
Thanks for chiming in and stopping by!
Take care,
Evelyn
Hey Evelyn, I’m not much of a chef or cook myself, but I do enjoy eating broccoli regularly. I usually just steam it myself.
Hi Jarret,
Steamed is great!
Thanks for sharing and chiming in!
P.S. You don’t have to be a cook/chef to make a mean side of steamed broccoli. 😉
Take care,
Evelyn
Nice post idea. One can’t go too wrong with broccoli (any way you cut it.) 🙂
Hi Jennifer,
That is so true! 😉
Thanks for sharing and stopping by!
Take care,
Evelyn
Evelyn,,
Well this is a first for me. You actually have me wanting to eat broccoli. Evelyn – The Miracle Worker 🙂
Hey Dandy,
Hooray!! 😉
I hope you try it broccoli..you can make a casserole of some kind or pasta dish or just steam it with your favorite flavors.
I guarantee you that you will like it! I don’t want to speak too soon! 🙂
Take care and thanks for chiming in!
Evelyn
No doubt broccoli is a quality vegetable. I made cream of broccoli and cauliflower soup this week for lunches. And going to make a briccoli frittata for supper. It was on sale at the market, so I have a fridge full.
I’m pretty bored of steamed broccoli. Maybe I need to try roasting it.
Hi Kristin,
Your soups sound so delicious!
I’ve never roasted any vegetables, but from what I have seen on cooking shows, they look yummy!
Thanks for sharing! 😉
Take care,
Evelyn