Broccoli is one of my favourite vegetables to eat & can paired with a variety of foods. A favourite of mine is to eat it with steak & sweet potato.
It has an impressive nutritional profile. It is high in fibre, very high in vitamin C and has potassium, B6 and vitamin A. Broccoli is also packed with antioxidants, These are chemicals produced by the body or found in fruits & vegetables. Antioxidants can help find and neutralise free radicals that cause cell damage.
Probably the most publicised health benefits of broccoli is its possible ability to help prevent cancer. It is a cruciferous vegetable, & all vegetables in this group may be protective against some stomach and intestinal cancers. It can also help lower cholesterol because the soluble fibre in the vegetable binds with the cholesterol in the blood. This binding makes the cholesterol easier to excrete, and consequently lessens cholesterol levels in the body.
In addition to reducing cholesterol, broccoli can aid in heart health by helping to keep blood vessels strong. The sulforaphane in broccoli is also an anti-inflammatory and may be able to prevent or reverse damage to blood vessel linings caused by chronic blood sugar problems.