Americans call broccoli "cabbage with a university education." And for good reason! Thanks to its rich composition, it is considered one of the healthiest vegetables. Scientists paid attention to the properties of this type of cabbage 2000 years ago, and nowadays it has become a welcome guest on the tables of healthy food lovers. There are about 200 varieties of broccoli known in the world, of which only 6 are grown in Russia. Find out more interesting facts about this healthy vegetable from our selection, and if you have something to add, be sure to leave your comment under the post!
1. Broccoli Roots from Italy
Since broccoli has Italian roots, both literally and figuratively, the name of the cabbage also originates from there. The word broccoli (plural broccolo, diminutive brocco) is translated from Italian as “flowering stem of cabbage”, “sprout”. The original source is the Latin bracchium (“branch”).
When broccoli finally went international, it was called “Italian asparagus” for many years. But in German, the cabbage was called “braun kopf,” which means “brown head.”
2. The first description of broccoli dates back to the 1st century AD.
The famous Roman scientist Pliny the Elder called this vegetable a "blessed plant." Although broccoli was very popular in Ancient Rome, the rest of the world had no idea about its existence. After Rome, broccoli was discovered in Ancient Greece - more than 2,000 years ago. Then, centuries later, broccoli came to Byzantium (modern Turkey), and from there it spread throughout the world.
3. 100 g of broccoli contains only 34 kcal
Broccoli is useful for weight loss and is often included in dietary nutrition. It fights cellulite perfectly. Ballast substances help remove toxins and harmful compounds from the intestines. Potassium normalizes water content, copper makes connective tissues elastic and strong, zinc protects against free radicals.
4. China is the largest producer of broccoli
This type of cabbage is also grown in large quantities in India, Spain, France, Italy, Turkey and Israel.
5. Broccoli is the enemy of cholesterol
Broccoli helps to lower cholesterol levels because it has the ability to remove atherogenic fats from the body.
6. Broccoli can help with pancreatitis
Broccoli contains easily digestible protein and strengthens the membrane of pancreatic cells, protecting them from the destructive action of pancreatic enzymes. It is allowed for patients outside the acute phase of pancreatitis, but is used with caution.
Due to the fiber content, broccoli is not suitable for everyone with pancreatitis, as in some patients this vegetable provokes bloating, colic and stool disorders. Therefore, broccoli dishes for this disease are prescribed in boiled and mashed form in the form of soups or pureed soups very gradually, starting with tiny doses. In the remission phase, the vegetable can be used in a greater variety of dishes - stewed, baked, added to salads. At any stage of the disease, the recommended dose of broccoli should not exceed 200 grams.
7. Broccoli for gastritis and stomach ulcers
People suffering from gastritis or ulcers are constantly forced to diet. Salvation for this group of patients is the ability to use broccoli. It is this vegetable that exhibits the following healing properties for patients with ulcers or gastritis:
- Sulforaphane suppresses excessive growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Experiments with adding 80 grams of broccoli to the daily diet have proven the protective properties of this vegetable in stomach diseases.
- Vitamin U heals damaged gastric mucosa in ulcers.
- Prevents stomach diseases from degenerating into cancerous tumors.
Broccoli is not used for gastritis with high acidity. Sometimes the fiber content can provoke pain and bloating for patients with ulcers or gastritis in the acute phase. But when using broccoli in the form of gentle boiled or steamed dishes, this type of cabbage is usually well tolerated.
8. Broccoli seeds are used to make oil.
Broccoli seed oil helps to improve hair health, restore its shine and elasticity. Most often, the oil is applied to the hair as a mask.
9. Broccoli contains almost all the vitamins the body needs.
It contains vitamins A, B (almost the entire group), C, E, K, PP, U. In addition, it contains magnesium, phosphorus, manganese, iodine, calcium, potassium, sodium, chromium, iron, selenium, amino acids and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.
10. Broccoli is a symbol of the political menu in the USA
President George H. W. Bush hated broccoli so much that he banned it from the White House. In 1992, Hillary Clinton, while campaigning for her husband, held up a sign that read, "Bring Broccoli Back to the White House!"
American researchers have found that sulforaphane, found in young broccoli sprouts, can protect against cancer and make existing anti-tumor drugs more effective. In experiments on cell lines, scientists also confirmed that sulforaphane has an anti-tumor effect.
11. Broccoli contains the "beauty vitamin"
The content of beta-carotene (the "beauty vitamin") in broccoli is higher than in carrots and pumpkin. In the body, beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A (retinol), which we need for healthy eyes, a strong immune system, and healthy skin and mucous membranes.
12. US residents eat 76,000 tons of broccoli per year.
Sociological studies have shown that 79% of the country's residents love broccoli and eat it. In order for the beneficial properties of broccoli not to be destroyed, it must be cooked correctly: it is best to steam, lightly fry or bake cabbage, eat it raw. Do not overcook broccoli: it should be slightly raw, it is both tastier and healthier.
13. Broccoli is a must for women
The benefits of broccoli for women are undeniable. Including this vegetable in the daily diet allows women of any age to maintain health and external attractiveness. Being an excellent means of combating cellulite, it allows women to be in good shape and do without expensive salons. Maintaining a high level of serotonin in the body, it allows you to maintain a great mood no worse than high-calorie chocolate. It affects the nervous system of a woman, allowing her to maintain composure even in crisis situations. Being part of many face and body masks, it allows you to moisturize, restore and nourish the skin.
14. Benefits of broccoli for children
Broccoli is one of the most useful vegetables for children. This vegetable supports the child's immunity, regulates the nervous and hematopoietic systems. Broccoli is considered the best type of first feeding when breastfeeding. No other vegetable is as suitable for this as broccoli.
This type of cabbage is the most gentle on the baby's stomach and intestines, reduces the risk of developing allergies and infectious diseases. Due to its mineral composition, it ensures bone growth and serves as a preventive measure against anemia in infants. Broccoli components protect the unformed vision of babies from the development of many pathologies, carefully preserving eye health.
15. Benefits and harms of broccoli during pregnancy
The benefits of broccoli for pregnant women are undeniable today. The formation of a new organism requires additional nutrients and careful protection of the future fetus from possible pathologies. This vegetable has exactly these properties. Broccoli contains a minimum of calories, so it will not give a pregnant woman any benefit.
Due to the content of essential amino acids and vitamins, broccoli protects pregnant women from anemia, vitamin deficiency, and serves as good protection during flu epidemics. Broccoli fiber protects expectant mothers from constipation. Serotonin fights mood swings and tearfulness in pregnant women, calcium is involved in the construction of the fetus's skeleton, and potassium helps remove excess fluid from the body. The content of folic acid protects the fetus from the development of such serious pathologies as mental retardation, spinal hernias, and microcephaly.
There are also contraindications for broccoli for pregnant women. Although there are not many, you should know about them.
16. Broccoli is contraindicated in:
- allergic reaction to broccoli;
- individual intolerance;
- increased acidity.
17. Cooking broccoli
Broccoli can be eaten in different ways: fried, stewed, boiled, baked, used as a side dish, cooked in stews, cream soups, cream soups, added to salads. Boiled broccoli is served with fish, poultry (for example, chicken or salmon) with the addition of sour cream sauce or cream. With the help of a blender, broccoli makes a delicious cream soup. If you cook this vegetable for a long time, its beneficial properties will significantly decrease. Therefore, it is better to use recipes in which broccoli is cooked for a short time. The most useful is steaming broccoli for no more than 5-7 minutes. Also, the "al dente" method is used to cook broccoli, when the vegetable is blanched for 3 minutes and immediately lowered into ice water. Broccoli is deliciously combined with cheese. A simple soup with broccoli, greens, cheese and cream will please many with its taste and health benefits. And a salad of boiled broccoli with grated hard cheese and mayonnaise will be a wonderful dish for a festive table.
Frozen broccoli retains all its healing properties even after defrosting. To get rid of insects, it is recommended to soak the vegetable in salted water for 5 minutes before cooking.
Delicious Broccoli Sauce Recipe
To prepare it, we need a large bunch of fresh broccoli, some crushed garlic, 1/3 cup of olive oil, 1 tsp of cumin and coriander seeds (crushed), 1 tsp of lime juice, a glass of water. Boil the cabbage and mix the ingredients until it becomes puree. Then boil the whole mixture until it becomes a thick, homogeneous mass.
If you buy fresh cabbage, try to choose darker and younger fruits, as such vegetables contain more sulforaphane. Feel free to buy frozen vegetables, in this form broccoli is also useful, because it retains all the vitamins and microelements.
You can also try cooking
Broccoli and Fresh Apple Salad
To do this you will need:
- Broccoli - 150 g
Apple - ½ - Red onion - ½
Apple cider vinegar - 1 tsp - Olive oil walnut - 10 g.
- Pour hot water over the broccoli for about 20 seconds, then plunge it into ice water for a few seconds to make the vegetables crispier. Mix all the salad ingredients together, season with apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Enjoy!
The benefits of broccoli cannot be overestimated. In our hectic times, when most people rush from job to job just to survive, few pay attention to what they eat. And in vain, because the constant consumption of food with all sorts of chemical additives gradually destroys our body. It is usually the serious problems that have already appeared that make us think about our health.
It is broccoli that can be a salvation from such pressing problems of our time as decreased immunity, oncology, blood diseases, pregnancy pathology, atherosclerosis and its consequences. Take a closer look at this vegetable, which is literally sent to us to protect, help and defend. Be healthy!
