This Is What Makes Broccoli And Kale Superfoods

Of course, broccoli and kale are superfoods – and for many good reasons.

Not only are they seriously packed with nutrients, and are amongst the most nutrient-dense foods around. But, they’re also packed with amazing health-promoting compounds.

Today we’ll list out some of the impressive numbers of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and detoxifying abilities of these super vegetables.

Broccoli and kale are often touted to be “superfoods.” And, yes, they really are amazingly healthy for you.

If you’re wondering what exactly is in these green powerhouses that makes them so “super,” I’ve dived into the research to give you some nerdy reasons to make these a staple in your diet.

To start, they’re both considered cruciferous vegetables related to each other in the Brassica family. This family of super plants also includes cauliflower, cabbage, mustard greens, and Brussels sprouts.

These superfoods have a tonne of nutrition, and other health-promoting compounds, they’re relatively inexpensive and easy to cook too!

Super nutrition

Broccoli and kale are full of nutrition: vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc. They’re both considered to be nutrient-dense which is a measure of nutrients per calorie – and these both have a lot!

100 grams of broccoli about 1 cup, chopped contains:
● 34 calories
● 2.8 g protein, 0.4 g fat, 6.6 g carbohydrates, and 2.6 g fiber.
● Good source of B vitamins when eaten raw
● 100% of your daily vitamin C
● Almost 100% of your vitamin K
● Good source of manganese
● Traces of all the other vitamins and minerals

One cup of loosely packed kale contains:
● 8 calories
● 0.7 g protein, 0.2 g fat including omega-3, 1.4 g carbohydrates, and 0.6 g fiber.
● It contains pre-vitamin A beta-carotene.
● Several B vitamins, including B1, B3, B5, B6, and folate B9
● Rich in vitamins C and K
● Lots of minerals including manganese, magnesium, iron, potassium, sulfur, copper, phosphorus, and calcium

As you can see, these two foods contain a lot of nutrients.

NOTE: Too much vitamin K may interact with certain thinning medications. If you’re taking one of these medications, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before incorporating too much of these superfoods into your diet.

Broccoli and kale also contain other health-promoting compounds.

Super health-promoting compounds

Broccoli and kale tend to taste a bit bitter – but that bitterness equals healthfulness!

This bitter flavor is from some of the health-promoting compounds in these super plant foods. Things like glucosinolates e.g., sulforaphane and isothiocyanates and polyphenol flavonols.

There are a few different types of kale – from curly kale to dinosaur kale, to red/purple kale. The different colors result from slight differences in the amounts of the compounds these plants contain.

One of the main active ingredients in cruciferous vegetables is glucosinolates. These antioxidant compounds are very useful to help detoxify and protect against cancer.

FUN FACT: It’s the precursors to glucosinolates that are in cruciferous vegetables, not the compounds themselves. When fresh broccoli and kale are eaten or even chopped/blended raw the active compounds are produced.

NOTE: Glucosinolates may affect iodine absorption and thyroid health, particularly in people prone to thyroid disease. In this case, you may not have to ditch these superfoods altogether – just cook them first.

These superfoods also contain flavonols like kaempferol and quercetin. Flavonols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and they decrease your risk of cancer.

Kale also contains carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids are known for promoting eye health and are protective against many cancers.

When cooked, kale contains another anti-cancer compound called indole.

Do you, or anyone you know, absolutely love or not, these superfoods? Do you have a favorite recipe to share? Let me know in the comments below.

Love and Health

Uma

WEBSITE- www.theumashow.com

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