benefits of brussel

This includes vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, and cress, among others. Cruciferous vegetables contain cancer fighting glucosinolates, but Brussels sprouts top them all when it comes to total content. Brussel sprouts are small, leafy green buds resembling like miniature cabbages in appearance. The buds nonetheless are exceptionally rich sources of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In fact, a renewed interest is growing about health benefits of these sprouts have to offer.

In Chinese medicine, they are prescribed to help with digestion. There have been many U.S. studies done on the relationship between this vegetable and cancer prevention. Brussels sprouts are able to provide special nutrient support for the body s detox system, antioxidant system, and inflammatory/anti inflammatory system, all of which are important for fighting cancer. Ironically, the benefits come from those same stinky glucosinolates that may have turned you off sprouts.

That means they re a great option for vegetarian meals. Like all fresh vegetables, they re naturally low in sodium and fat, but they have a ton of vitamins A, K, C (more than an orange), B6, folate, potassium, fibre, iron, selenium, and calcium, plus all those antioxidant, cancer fighting compounds mentioned above. Brussels sprouts are also said to increase male virility.

The fibre related nutrients in Brussels sprouts bind with intestinal bile acids, helping them to pass out of the body. This forces the body to replenish lost bile acids by tapping into the existing supply of cholesterol, which reduces it. One study showed that steamed Brussels sprouts bound 27 percent as many bile acids as a cholesterol lowering prescription drug called

Food Republic says they were bred originally from wild cabbages found in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, though their name suggests otherwise. Brussels sprouts were cultivated in Belgium from the 16th century onwards, though other earlier versions were reported in ancient Rome. Another source says they re native to Belgium, and were cultivated exclusively in a region near Brussels until World War I, when consumption spread across Europe.

Vitamin C is essential for normal growth and development. The nutrient keeps your immune system strong and helps maintain the health of your skin, teeth and gums. Vitamin C protects your cells from damage as well, which can reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. A 1/2 cup serving of Brussels sprouts contains 48.4 milligrams of vitamin C, which is about 50 percent of what men need each day and about 65 percent of what women need on a daily basis.

The average diet contains far less than the 25 to 30 grams of fiber needed for good health, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Fiber keeps your digestive system working normally, encourages regular bowel movements and prevents constipation. Fiber also helps reduce cholesterol levels, which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. A 1/2 cup serving of Brussels sprouts supplies 2 grams of fiber.

Often called folic acid, folate is a B vitamin that is present in large doses in leafy green vegetables. Folate aids in the formation of the neural tube and can help prevent certain birth defects such as spina bifida and cleft palate. It also plays a role in the formation and maintenance of DNA. Folate might reduce your homocysteine levels, which can reduce your risk of heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. One half cup of Brussels sprouts provides 47 micrograms of folate. This translates to about 12 percent of the 400 micrograms you need each day.

Brussels sprouts contain certain antioxidants compounds that offer protective benefits. A 2011 study published in the Journal of Food Science notes that Brussels sprouts contain compounds called glucosinolates and isothiocyanates that can reduce your risk of cancer. The article also reports that cooking Brussels sprouts can leach these beneficial compounds from the vegetable, though even cooked Brussels sprouts still offer nutritional benefits.

Steam Brussels sprouts just until they are tender to help retain as many of their beneficial nutrients as possible. Drizzle steamed Brussels sprouts with olive oil and fresh garlic for a nutrient dense side dish. Chop cooked Brussels sprouts and add them to a tossed green salad, pasta sauce or soup. Saute Brussels sprouts with onions and garlic and use the combination as a tasty and nutritious topping for grilled steak or pork chops.