Broccoli

Broccoli is a kind of cabbage and as such is good for health. Originally Italian, it is commonly consumed in Europe, China, India and United States.

The main producers are in order, in thousands of tons, China (8500), India (5000) and the United States (1240), numbers for 2008.

It is cooked like cabbage, steamed, and accommodated with a variety of sauces according to taste.

History

The name comes from "brocco", grows in Italian. He was by the Romans and widely eaten at that epoch.

Nutritional

This is a food low in calories and fat providing vitamins and minerals.

Per 100 grams:

• Vitamin C: 89 mg
• Vitamin A: 31 ug
• Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9
• Phosphorus: 66 mg
• Magnesium: 21 mg
• Carbohydrates: 6.6 g
• Protein: 2.8 g

Medicinal properties

• It contains sulforaphane, which helps to preserve the lungs (especially for smokers).
• It helps to preserve the body from cancer.
• It is anti-viral and anti-bacterial.
• Help to produce enzymes that restorent blood vessels.
• Reduces the risk of heart attack.

References

• Broccoli repairs the damage of diabetes. BBC article.