Top 25 Amazing Facts About Broccoli | Amazing Facts 4U
- Broccoli originated in Italy off the Mediterranean. It has been eaten there since the time of the ancient Romans in the 6th Century BC.
- The name Broccoli is derived from the Italian word “braccio,” which means “arm.”
- Broccoli belongs to the family of cruciferous vegetables which also includes cauliflower, kale, and cabbage.
- Broccoli can either be grown from seed or more popularly from seedlings. It grows up to 100 cm with large spreading bluish green leaves.
- Largest producer in the world is China, producing over 8 million tons a year.
- Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, was a fan of broccoli, importing the seeds from Italy to plant the vegetable there as early as 1767. Presently California produces 90% of broccoli in USA.
- The head of the broccoli is made up of tiny flower buds. If you do not harvest it on time, the head will be full of yellow flowers. Even when harvested, broccolis need to be kept in a cool temperature to prevent the buds from flowering, which will make the vegetable taste bitter.
- To keep a head of broccoli fresh, store it, unwashed, in a ventilated plastic bag inside the refrigerator and use it within five days.
- Its central thick stalk measures about 6-10 inches in length. Both stalk and fleshy flower heads are edible.
- Eating broccoli raw is one of the best ways to maximize its nutrition potential. Since cooking destroys some of the valuable nutrients found in broccoli, keep cooking time as short as possible.
- Overcooked broccoli becomes soft and mushy, an indication that it has lost both nutrients and flavor.
- Broccoli can be served as a vegetable, in stir-fries, salads, soups and , omelets.
- Broccoli is very low in calories, as one cup of chopped raw broccoli has only 30 calories.
- Broccoli has very high content of Vitamin C. One cup of chopped broccoli is Vitamin C equivalent of an orange providing your daily needs.
- Broccoli is also very high in Vitamin A which helps fight cancer within your cells, as well as keep your eyes healthy and stave off glaucoma and other eye degenerative diseases. It also helps to promote healthy skin and maintain healthy bones and teeth.
- Broccolis also have Vitamin K, as well as the minerals calcium, potassium and iron. In addition, it contains phytochemicals that are known to detoxify the body.
- As broccoli is rich in vitamin A and K , these help in the metabolism of vitamin D.
- Broccoli is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Broccoli is the best nutritional food for pregnant women due to folic acid and vitamin C which are helpful in cellular division which causes natural growth of fetus.
- Broccoli contains high amount of calcium compared to other vegetables which is helpful to build bone mass.
- Broccoli is also a good source of minerals like manganese, iron, magnesium, selenium, zinc and phosphorus.
- Broccoli contains the flavonoid kaempferol which is an anti-inflammatory agent helping fight against cancer and heart disease and help prevent onset of adult diabetes.
- Broccoli and also cabbage are rich in sulfur compounds required for healthy body.
- Broccoli also has phytonutrients (glucoraphanin, gluconasturtiian and glucobrassicin) which are helpful in detoxifying the body from harmful chemicals. It is also enriched with flavonoid compounds like thiocyanates, indoles, sulphoraphane, isothiocyanates, beta and alpha carotene and lutein which protect from various cancers.
- Glucoraphanin found in Broccoli is converted to sulforaphane that protects your skin making it healthy and dazzling.
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