BY DR. ROOPA CHARI, M.D.
Oct 6th, 2013
Researchers in Italy recently discovered that steaming broccoli increases its concentration of compounds found to fight cancer (called glucosinolates) by 30 percent. Boiling lowers the levels!
Great source of nutrients Broccoli has many important nutrients including vitamin C, Vitamin A (mostly as beta-carotene), calcium, folic acid and fiber. Broccoli is a good source of calcium which is important for the immune system, strong bones and even may help to control high blood pressure.
Decrease risk of disease Beta-carotene and vitamin C are very important antioxidants that have been shown to decrease the risk of many conditions such as cataracts, heart disease and several types of cancer.
Good Source of Fiber Broccoli is also a good source of 2 important types of fiber called insoluble and soluble fiber which is important for good health! As a bonus, broccoli has protective substances that may protect you from disease. Broccoli belongs to the cabbage family, collectively known as cruciferous vegetables.
Lower Rates of Cancer: Many health organizations have said that cruciferous vegetables are must-have foods, and recommend that we eat them several times a week. Why? They are linked to lower rates of cancer.
As with all cruciferous vegetables, broccoli contains two important naturally occurring phytochemicals called indoles and isothiocyanates. At Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, researchers isolated an important ingredient from broccoli, an isothiocyanate (called sulforaphane) that increases the activity of a group of enzymes in our bodies that helps to stop cancer-causing agents.
So remember to steam & eat your broccoli a few times a week!
About Dr. Roopa Chari, M.D.: "Dr. Roopa Chari is a medical doctor in Internal Medicine and her brother Deepak Chari is an Engineer and Certified Biofeedback Specialist at The Chari Center of Health, an advanced integrative medical center in Encinitas, CA. * Sign up for a FREE 15 minute holistic medical consult with Dr. Chari and/or a FREE 30 minute Stress & Anxiety Relief session with Advanced Voice Biofeedback with Deepak Chari here or call (760) 230-2711."