Discover the incredible weight loss benefits of broccoli, how to best prepare it and how much you should eat to get maximum benefit from broccoli - one of nature's amazing fat burning foods.
Broccoli is a member of the cruciferous family. Additionally, it is a vegetable that is related to cabbage.
The name of this vegetable is derived from "brachium," a Latin word meaning branch or arm, and has been grown for over 2,000 years.
Even though there are many available varieties of broccoli, the typical variety of broccoli commonly consumed is the green Italian variety, which is also known as sprouting broccoli. Dark purplish-green flowers surround the dark green stalks that they grow on.
Although broccoli is cultivated better in cooler temperatures, it can still be purchased throughout the year.
Were you aware that that nearly all (90%) of the broccoli sold and eaten in the U.S. comes from California's Salinas Valley?
Fat Burning Benefits of Broccoli
Broccoli is one of the highest sources of both Vitamins A and C. As a matter of fact, broccoli actually contains more Vitamin C than oranges! Also, broccoli is very high in potassium, which can help to regulate blood pressure levels as well as fluid levels in the body.
It's rich in fiber (in the form of pectin), which attaches itself to acids in your bile and keeps toxins from being released into your bloodstream which would otherwise increase your cholesterol levels.
More good reports indicate that broccoli is a great source of folic acid, a substance that many researchers think can protect against getting Alzheimer's disease, and also has the ability to greatly reduce the risk of getting a heart attack.
Vitamin A is helpful in protecting the body against infections. It protects your body against harmful poisons that are capable of causing the body to be unhealthy.
Vitamin A is helpful in keeping moisture in the mucous membranes and is also helpful in the protection of the gastrointestinal tract, skeletal structure and reproductive system. It is good for moisturizing the skin and eyes, which is beneficial to your body.
The anti-oxidant substances found in Vitamin A help in protecting the body against coronary heart disease by preventing bad cholesterol (in the form of LDL) from developing.
Broccoli contains chromium, a substance that helps to lower the blood sugar levels in your body.
The florets contain a higher amount of vitamins than the vitamins found in the stalks, so you will obtain more vitamins when you eat the florets. The florets have a higher percentage of beta carotene than the percentage found in the stalks, which is approximately 8% more.
Furthermore, broccoli is plentiful in different kinds of phytochemicals like sulforaphane, a substance that researchers think can protect people against getting cancer. Broccoli is also plentiful in nutrients such as thiamin, phosphorus and iron. Broccoli also contains additional phytochemicals, which include beta carotene, indoles and isothiocyanates.
These offer the body protection against carcinogens by preventing them from reaching target cells and by a process of detoxification that is directed at carcinogens with the natural enzymes that are produced.
Proper Preparation of Broccoli
Broccoli may be eaten in its natural raw state, adding its florets to a salad, or it can be cooked, broiled, steamed or added to a stir-fried vegetable dish.
Pick bunches with a darker green color, because the darker green color indicates a greater abundance of nutritional benefits.
You should pick stalks that are hard, because when the stalks are not firm or bend like rubber, they are not fresh and should not be used.
Additionally, do not buy broccoli with bud clusters that have been overly soaked with water, have hard wooden-like stems, are yellow instead of green, or have stalks with a faded color.
Store broccoli in a plastic bag in your refrigerator, and do not wash it before storage; use it within a short time after you purchase it.
Use a very small amount of water when you are cooking broccoli. This will help to preserve important nutrients and to get rid of the unpleasant odor that occurs when ammonia and hydrogen sulfide constituents are liberated from the vegetable. Adding a small slice of bread to your pot can help prevent the unpleasant odor that broccoli emits into your kitchen when it is cooking. If you want to make sure the stems are completely cooked, you can carve a small x into the stalks.
You can add broccoli to a dish consisting of stir-fried vegetables or eat it as a vegetable accompaniment to your meal. They are likewise a great food to place on a vegetable tray, use for an appetizer, or for dipping in low-fat salad dressing.
Do not neglect eating the broccoli leaves also! The leaves are, in reality, the most plentiful source of beta carotene found anywhere on earth! Add broccoli to your favorite tossed salad for a healthy and delightful taste treat!
Amount You Should Eat
One portion equals approximately one cup of chopped, cooked broccoli florets. This equals one medium broccoli, remembering that the greatest amount of vitamins are found in the florets.
For optimum health benefits, a good amount of broccoli to consume would be one cup, 3 to 5 times every week.
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