What Are the Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Broccoli?
Now that you know the nutritional rewards of broccoli, let’s see how these nutrients, vitamins, and minerals can help benefit your body.
1. Helps Fight Cancer
Cancer occurs when malignant cells develop and spread throughout the body. While modern medicine helps kill cancerous cells, don’t underestimate the cancer-fighting potential of broccoli. This vegetable may help reduce your risk of certain cancers, like lung cancer, stomach cancer, and colon cancer. (4)
This is due to a compound in broccoli called isothiocyanates, which helps decrease inflammation. (5) Chronic inflammation can cause changes to your DNA and increase the risk for cancer. (6)
2. Helps With Bone Health
Vitamin K helps your body absorb calcium, and a deficiency increases the risk of bone fractures. (7) Because broccoli contains a high amount of vitamin K, there is an association between eating it and reduced fracture. (8)
Broccoli also contains calcium, which is another essential nutrient for strong bones and teeth. (9)
3. Reduces Cholesterol
Your doctor may recommend medication if you’ve been struggling to lower your blood cholesterol. But given the number of possible drug side effects, you might look for natural ways to remedy this problem.
Broccoli is especially rich in soluble fiber, the type of fiber that research suggests is most effective for reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. (10) Since a healthy cholesterol level reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure, broccoli can also contribute to heart health. (11)
