Broccoli is a vegetable. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
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Uses
- Broccoli is used for preventing cancer of the prostate, breast, colon, bladder, and stomach. Some people also use it for boosting the effectiveness of the immune system.
Benefits
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Low in Calories but High in Fiber
Broccoli can help you maintain a healthy weight because it is low in calories and provides a lot of filling fiber. Each cup of cooked broccoli contains 5.1 grams of fiber, or 20 percent of the daily value of 25 grams, along with 0.6 grams of fat and 3.7 grams of protein but only 55 calories. Getting plenty of fiber in your diet helps lower your cholesterol, control your blood sugar, decrease your risk for heart disease and keep your digestive tract working smoothly.
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Rich in Vitamins
Based on a 2,000-calorie diet, a single serving of broccoli gives you a whopping 275 percent of your body’s daily requirement — or daily value — for vitamin K and 169 percent of the daily value for vitamin C. It also provides 48 percent of your body’s need for vitamin A, 42 percent for folate and more than 10 percent of the daily values for vitamins B-6 and E. You need vitamin K for blood clotting, vitamin A to keep your vision optimal and your immune system functioning at its best, and folate for cell division and synthesizing DNA. Vitamin B-6 plays a role in immune function and metabolism, and vitamin E acts as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage from compounds called free radicals.
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Source of Multiple Minerals
Broccoli provides at least small amounts of most essential minerals, but it is an especially good source of phosphorus, potassium and manganese, containing between 10 and 15 percent of the daily value for each of these minerals. Phosphorus aids in forming strong bones, while potassium helps offset the effects of high sodium consumption on your blood pressure. Manganese assists your body in processing protein, carbohydrates and cholesterol.
Cautions
When applied to the skin, broccoli can cause an allergic rash in hypersensitive people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Broccoli is LIKELY SAFE for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. But larger medicinal amounts should be avoided until more is known.
Interactions
We currently have no information for broccoli Interactions
Other names
Brassica Oleracea Italica Group, Brassica oleracea var. italica, Brocoli, Brócoli, Broccoli Flower, Calabrese, Purple Sprouting Broccoli
References
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1151-broccoli.aspx?activeingredientid=1151&activeingredientname=broccoli
Live Strong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/477480-why-is-broccoli-good-for-you/