Let it be adding colours to your food plate or healing your health problems, Broccoli stands as the showstopper. Being called as “wonder food”, Broccoli is eminently salubrious. This wholesome vegetable is famous for a variety of health benefits it shows. It’s quite surprising to see the supermini tree providing a wide range of health benefits. It is accurately said, a cup broccoli a day keeps diseases away. Below are the top 19 best health benefits of broccoli why you should add broccoli to your diet in 2019.

1. Happy Tummy

Broccoli is helpful in aiding digestion and reducing constipation. The veggie is rich in fibers and carbs which adds an immense effect. It reduces colon inflammation which in turn facilities the healthy Bacteria community present in it, thus very helpful in digestion. The anti-oxidants present in broccoli helps in proper functioning of the gut, leading to healthy gut functions.

2. Healthy heart and cardiovascular functions

Eating broccoli sprouts daily has found to have reduced the elevated level of LDL cholesterol, i.e the bad cholesterol and elevated the reduced level of HDL cholesterol, i.e the good cholesterol. The fibers present in it helps in binding bile acids in the digestive tract and thus, helps in easy excretion of cholesterol from the body. And also it acts against the cell death and oxidative stress of heart tissues, leading to the healthy heart. Cardiovascular problems like heart attacks and cardiac arrest also lose their prominence with broccoli in the body.

3. Improves brain functioning

Nutrients and compounds in broccoli have seen to have helped brain functioning properly. Broccoli as an effective against inflammation digs down the neural inflammation and the anti-oxidants helps in proper oxygen supply to brain cells. Sulforaphane, a bioactive present in broccoli promotes and supports brain functions after reduced oxygenation and recovers brain tissues. According to a report by the Harvard Medical School, broccoli is also rich in beta-carotene and can prevent cognitive decline.

4. Reduces inflammation and allergies

Studies show that intake of broccoli produces anti-oxidants in the basal cells which helps in curing inflammations. kaempferol, polyphenols are known for their anti-allergic immune response and anti-inflammatory response, present in broccoli helps in lessening allergies and inflammations.

5. Lowers the chances of cancer

Unchecked cell growth can lead to peculiar disease like cancer. Sulforaphane or organic sulfur present in broccoli helps to check the normal growth of cells and also regulates apoptosis(programmed cell death) in cancer cells. The compounds with sulfur in broccoli break to act as potent anti-cancer properties. Studies show eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli reduces cancer risks, mainly in the prostate, breast, lungs, pancreatic and gastric glands.

6. Blood sugar control

Sulforaphane, present in broccoli has found to have reduced blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It is also a great source of vitamin C and K, potassium, fibers and folic acid, which all together helps in balancing the blood sugar level.

7. Abundant vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds

Broccoli is filled with 90% water, 7% carbs, 3% proteins and is an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and fibers.

Vitamin C helps in strengthening the immune system and skin. Vitamin K1 is important in blood clotting and bone health. Folic acid is helpful in normal cell growth, especially in pregnant women. Potassium, manganese, and iron too help a lot in solving cardiovascular problems and enhancing the proper supply of oxygen to the blood cells.

8. Healthy immune system

Without immune system functioning properly, the body is a climber without a support. It is the most important function that helps us live. Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable has a great amount of vitamins in it. Vitamin C soughts to protect the immune system of the body and strengthens it. Studies have found people eating broccoli have a great resistance to diseases in comparison to those who don’t eat it.

9. Slows down the aging process

Broccoli as a diet acts against the aging process. It reduces fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation and even solves acne and other problems. Vitamin C in broccoli contains large anti-oxidant properties which fight against the free radicals responsible for aging. It also promotes collagen production to increase elasticity in cells which lessens wrinkles.