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Raw green broccoli taste as good as sautéed ones when used in salads. And it has numerous health benefits. In fact, broccoli is listed among the top healthy foods in the world. Raw broccoli is rich in dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients. Hence, the green vegetable has several healing properties. According to experts, its daily intake keeps the body healthy and helps to prevent cancer and other fatal diseases.
15 facts on Broccoli and its health benefits according to studies
- Broccoli is a dark green and sturdy flowering vegetable
- Its botanical name is Brassica
- Broccoli, some say, means arms or branch as the green vegetable looks like a tiny tree
- It belongs to the cabbage family. Both its flower and stem can be eaten raw
- It makes for a quick steamy dish and was once a popular food in ancient Romans
- The green vegetable has zero fat content, hence it is a good weight control food
- Its raw form is a good source of Vitamin C, A, B-6 and dietary fibre
- Broccoli has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and helps in detoxification of toxic matter in the body
- It also has a promising chemical – sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound found in a cruciferous vegetable
- The above properties help to prevent cancer and other serious health problems
- Broccoli protects the skin cell membranes and slows the ageing process
- It prevents ultraviolet radiation damage
- Experts advise intake of half a cup broccoli per day
- Eating green broccoli three to four times a day can reduce the risk of cancer and other degenerative diseases
- Eating broccoli sprouts may help diabetes patients manage their blood sugar level
Best way to have broccoli
- Have it raw, sautéed or steam it. Do not boil. Raw and steamed broccoli retains its nutrients better
- Steam it for not more than five minutes, as extended steaming may destroy the nutritional properties
- Wash it well and use it in salads or mix vegetables dishes
- Remember, cooking may destroy some of its good nutrients
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