Broccoli is without a doubt one of those foods that you either love or hate. Most of us can remember back to when we were kids and our folks first served us something that resembled a little tree, and that looked as though it was going to taste absolutely horrible. That first bite probably didn't change many minds either, although I have found that broccoli is something that really does taste better over time.
In this post I am going to talk a bit about broccoli nutrition, and highlight exactly why this is something that can really do you the world of good, even if it isn't your favorite vegetable.
On a blog that is all about the importance of the essential nutrients in foods, this won't be the first, or last, time that I go on about just how important vegetables are for you. The fact is though, that they are the best natural source of many of the essential vitamins and minerals in foods that your body must have in order to survive! Just getting people to actually recognise that can be a real mission, so excuse my repetition!
Back to broccoli....
What I am going to do now is list the nutritional values that can be obtained by eating broccoli, and beside each nutrient I am going to provide a positive example of what this nutrient does for your body. If you like this is a list of reasons to eat broccoli!
The following broccoli nutritional facts are based on 3.5 oz or 100g of broccoli:
Vitamins in broccoli
Vitamin A equiv - 31 micrograms
Example of a benefit of vitamin A - Aids your vision
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) - 0.071 milligrams
Example of a benefit of vitamin B1 - Converts sugar into energy in the body
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) - 0.117 milligrams
Example of a benefit of vitamin B2 - An antioxidant that eliminates harmful free radicals
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) - 0.639 milligrams
Example of a benefit of vitamin B3 - Helps to maintain a healthy cholesterol level
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) - 0.573 milligrams
Example of a benefit of vitamin B5 - Helps the body to cope with stress
Vitamin B6 - 0.175 milligrams
Example of a benefit of vitamin B6 - Processes carbohydrates into energy
Vitamin B9 (Folate) - 63 micrograms
Example of a benefit of vitamin B9 - Helps the body to successfully deliver iron around the body in red blood cells
Vitamin C - 89.2 milligrams
Example of a benefit of vitamin C - Aids the growth, maintenance, and repair of tissue throughout your body
Vitamin E - 0.78 milligrams
Example of a benefit of vitamin E - Helps you to have strong, healthy skin
Vitamin K - 101.6 micrograms
Example of a benefit of vitamin K - Helps to keep your bones strong and healthy
Minerals in broccoli
Calcium - 47 milligrams
Example of a benefit of calcium - Helps to keep your teeth and bones strong
Iron - 0.73 milligrams
Example of a benefit of iron - Allows oxygen to be transported to every part of your body that needs it in order to work
Magnesium - 21 milligrams
Example of a benefit of magnesium - Helps to regulate blood pressure
Phosphorous - 66 milligrams
Example of a benefit of phosphorous - Helps to regulate the fluid levels in your body
Potassium - 316 milligrams
Example of a benefit of potassium - Provides you with energy and helps tired muscles recover
Zinc - 0.41 milligrams
Example of a benefit of zinc - Helps wounds to heal properly
What else does a 3.5 ox serving of broccoli contain?
* Protein - 2.82 g
* Fiber - 2.6 g
* Fats - 0.37 g
* Sugar - 1.7 g
* Carbohydrates - 6.64 g
* Water - 89.30 g
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broccoli
You may think that some of the above are not benefits in the conventional sense of the word, in that they are not something you are getting for nothing. However, the way that you have to look at it is that without a sufficient level of each of these vitamins and minerals, these bodily processes that we all take for granted wouldn't take place, and if that were to happen our health would be in serious trouble.
So perhaps broccoli isn't your favorite vegetable, or worse still it is one that you avoid like the plague, but with all of the amazing benefits that have been listed above along with the actual nutritional facts about broccoli, can you really afford to leave this out of your diet?
To find out all of the many amazing benefits that vitamins and minerals bring to your health, take a look at the link to my website at the foot of this post. You will find lists of foods that contain each and ever nutrient that you need, which can help you revamp your diet and give your health a strong helping hand!
http://www.vitamins-minerals-in-food.com/
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