Why Is Broccoli Good For You?

Broccoli, or Brassica oleracea, belongs to the mustard plant family and evolved from a wild cabbage species that originated in Rome. The University of Illinois Extension reports that broccoli is the favorite cruciferous vegetable in the United States. It suggests that you consume broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage or turnips, as part of several meals each week. Broccoli is good for you, containing a host of healthy nutrients and offering big health benefits. Consult your doctor before using broccoli to treat specific health conditions.

Nutritional Content

According to the University of Illinois Extension, 1/2 cup of cooked broccoli has just 23 calories and 4.3 mg of carbs. It also contains 2.4 g of fiber, 49 mg of vitamin C, 89 mg of calcium and 0.9 mg of iron. Drugs.com adds that broccoli contains other healthy vitamins, including folic acid, riboflavin, thiamin and niacin. One serving also offers you healthy levels of magnesium, selenium, potassium, beta-carotene and zinc. Active compounds in broccoli include several flavonoids and glucosinolates, the substances that give this vegetable its characteristic flavor.

Cancer Prevention

Broccoli is good for you because it is a rich source vitamin C, an important antioxidant that protects your cells from ravaging free radicals. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, eating foods that contain vitamin C might reduce your risk of getting skin, cervical and breast cancers. UC Santa Barbara adds that broccoli contains phytochemicals called isothiocyanates, which appear to suppress the growth of tumors and prevent cancer cells from forming. These phytochemicals seem particularly effective in fighting breast cancer. Future studies need to validate these claims, however.

Cardiovascular Health

Consuming broccoli might help to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. The UMMC reports that eating foods rich in vitamin C might protect low-density lipoproteins from oxidation, a process that causes hardening of the arteries. Once plaque builds up in your arteries, you have a greater risk of having strokes and heart attacks. According to the UMMC, eating foods that contain high levels of vitamin C also reduces your risk of suffering from high blood pressure. Consult your doctor before consuming broccoli to treat cardiovascular problems.

Beta-Carotene and Vitamin A

Broccoli contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant-rich nutrient that your body converts to vitamin A, according to MayoClinic.com. Vitamin A is essential for your vision, reproductive, skin and bone health. MedlinePlus reports that beta-carotene seems to reduce the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women, and it might decrease the risk of ovarian cancer in post-menopausal females. It also seems to stop the progression of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. More clinical studies need to support these findings, however.

Other Benefits

Reuters Health reports that broccoli might help to relieve the symptoms of asthma and allergies. Early research indicates that the sulforaphane compound in broccoli appears to boost the enzymes that fight inflammation in your upper airways. The fiber in broccoli might lower your risk of developing a variety of health problems, including diabetes, constipation and cardiovascular disease, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.