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Eat broccoli to beat high cholesterol, prostate tumour

By Alero Binitie
04 February 2016   |   6:30 am
Can regular consumption of broccoli prevent constipation, maintain healthy digestive tracts and lower the risks of colon cancer? Scientists have answered ‘yes’, having found a compound in the green vegetable, which not only helps prevent cancer, but also help to treat the disease.
Broccoli has an unusually strong combination of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and vitamin K, and rich in vitamin C, chromium, and folate. It is important to realize that; the high of dietary folate (in food) will lead in protection and prevention against colon, stomach, pancreatic and cervical cancers.                                                                                                           PHOTO CREDIT: google.com/search

Broccoli has an unusually strong combination of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and vitamin K, and rich in vitamin C, chromium, and folate. It is important to realize that; the high of dietary folate (in food) will lead in protection and prevention against colon, stomach, pancreatic and cervical cancers. PHOTO CREDIT: google.com/search

Can regular consumption of broccoli prevent constipation, maintain healthy digestive tracts and lower the risks of colon cancer? Scientists have answered ‘yes’, having found a compound in the green vegetable, which not only helps prevent cancer, but also help to treat the disease.

The study was published in the journal Clinical Epigenetics. Sulforaphane, which is also found in other cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts, was found to inhibit the development of colon and prostate cancer cells.

In Lagos State, broccoli can be found in the grocery section located in the malls, major fruit markets that is Mile 12, Maryland, Allen and Ajah traffic as well as the grocery street market located in Gbagada, Bariga just to mention a few.

Good news, for as low as ₦N300.00, one broccoli can be owned. Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database found that one cup of chopped raw broccoli (approximately 91 grammes) contains 31 calories, 0 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbohydrate (including 2 grammes of sugar and 2 grammes of fibre) and 3 grams of protein.

In addition, a study carried out by prof. John Rhodes revealed that the benefits of fiber in the human diet are very essential in keeping a healthy living. One major way to achieve this is by consuming a regular diet rich with anti-inflammatory compounds, antioxidants, fiber-rich foods and a steady supply of vitamins and minerals. The above-mentioned rich diet can be found in broccoli.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, broccoli is good diet for weight maintenance and diabetes prevention. It is high in fiber, which aids in digestion, prevents constipation, maintains low blood sugar, and curbs overeating.

Furthermore, a cup of broccoli has as much protein as a cup of rice or corn with half the calories.With so much health benefits, one would assume that the broccoli is a well-known and well-consumed vegetable in Nigeria.

A storekeeper was asked, “if broccoli was available.“ She nodded her head and then said “only cabbage we have“ and then showed our reporter broccoli.

A call card seller was shown a picture of broccoli and asked, “Do you know this vegetable?” She laughed and replied, “No, but I have seen it before, this is oyinbo food.”

A few others admitted to knowing broccoli but that the vegetable is hard to find.Broccoli comes in an assortment of colour from deep sage to dark green to purplish-green, depending upon the variety. One of the most popular types of broccoli sold is known as Italian green, or Calabrese, named after the Italian province of Calabria where it first grew. When steamed and eating plain a mild bitter taste is felt, but when seasoned with the right spice, chicken or meat stock, the bitter taste is barely there. Just juicy and soft chicken-like taste is felt.

It is a very good source of dietary fiber, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin E, manganese, phosphorus, choline, vitamin B1, potassium, copper, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, zinc, calcium, iron, niacin, and selenium.

Broccoli helps lower the cholesterol in the human body. How, you might ask?
When steamed, the fiber-related component in broccoli mixes together with bile acids in your digestive tract (also known as binding process).

When this binding process takes place, it’s easier for bile acids to be excreted, which in turn aids in lowering of your cholesterol levels.

Broccoli has an unusually strong combination of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and vitamin K, and rich in vitamin C, chromium, and folate. It is important to realize that; the high of dietary folate (in food) will lead in protection and prevention against colon, stomach, pancreatic and cervical cancers.

Broccoli is a very nutritious and healthy vegetable. It can be eaten raw or cooked.In order to prevent arteries from clogging, researchers from Imperial College London suggest consuming at least one cup of broccoli daily. Their research findings conclude that there is a chemical in leafy green vegetables, as well as broccoli, that offer protective measures for the heart, including preventing artery blockages.

According to a study carried out by Dr. Joseph Mercola (2013), when broccoli is boiled the effect of the cancer-fighting enzyme is reduced. While, when broccoli was steamed, microwaved and stir fried there was no loss of cancer –preventive substances.

Another study carried out by a group of researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Just 5 grams (0.17 ounces) of sprouts contain concentrations of the compound glucoraphanin equal to that found in 150 grams (5.2 ounces) of mature broccoli.

In fact, their research showed that 3-day-old sprouts of both broccoli and cauliflower may contain anywhere from 10 to 100 times higher levels of glucoraphanin than the corresponding mature plants

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