You
probably didn't see what was so great about broccoli as a child, but the truth
is that this vegetable is one of nature’s super foods. From its stalk to its
flowering head, broccoli is packed with nutrients and vitamins needed for your
overall health and well-being. This vegetable has been around for centuries, and
it has always been used and viewed as the perfect go-to food.
It’s
healthy, can be eaten in a number of different ways, comes with a variety of
benefits, is easy to cook, and offers the body a single boost of minerals in
every serving. For a comprehensive understanding of this perfect food, check
out the following information.
The Anatomy of Broccoli:
Understanding the Veggie from Top to Bottom
Many
people aren't aware just how much there is to know about broccoli. Yes, it’s a
vegetable, and yes, it’s incredibly good for you—but that’s not all. This
anatomical breakdown of broccoli should teach you everything you need to know
about this vegetable and more. So, let’s begin with the basics.
What Exactly is Broccoli?
An
edible green plant belonging to the cabbage family, broccoli is a vegetable
that originated in Italy as many as 2,000 years ago. While, its flowering head
is usually used as a vegetable in a variety of meals, the entire vegetable can
be eaten and contains a host of nutritional values.
Arranged
like a small tree, broccoli closely resembles cauliflower, which is another
vegetable of the same species. Due to its rich green colour, broccoli is high in
antioxidants and other essential vitamins.
Parts of the Broccoli Plant
A broccoli plant is made up of three
main parts:
· The root system
·
Leaves and stalk
·
The crowning head
When
still in the ground, the root system of the broccoli plant needs nutrient-rich
soil in order to grow and support the plant. Broccoli plants need to be watered
often in order to keep the plant hydrated and well fed as it approaches
maturity.
The
leaves and stalk are lesser-known parts of the broccoli plant because gardeners
and farmers often discard these pieces at harvest. However, they are actually
edible and highly nutritious. Broccoli leaves can be long and thin or short and
wide and grow along the stalk. They are often blue-green in colour and thicken
towards the head of the plant.
The
crowning head is the part of the broccoli most familiar to people. Sometimes
called the curd or the head, the top of the broccoli is most commonly eaten.
This head is made of small, dense edible floral shoots. Usually, the head is
harvested long before the shoots, or little florets open. Sometimes the heads
are purple, but the green shoots are most commonly cultivated by gardeners. The
best growth environment for the broccoli plant is in full sun, with plenty of
water, and of course, the nutrient rich soil mentioned earlier.
What is Broccoli’s Nutritional Value?
Broccoli
is a great food to eat when you are looking to get extra fibre and vitamin C into
your diet. It contains various nutrients that hold anti-cancer properties and support
a strong, healthy immune system.
A
great source of natural energy, broccoli is low in carbs, and fat but high in
protein.
Nutrients: It contains B vitamins,
Thiamine, Niacin, Riboflavin and Folate as well as traces of calcium, iron,
potassium, and phosphorous.
High Fibre: Broccoli is also high in
fibre that supports heart health, helps lower bad cholesterol and supports
healthy weight management because it is filling and very low in calories.
How is Broccoli Prepared?
Broccoli
can be steamed, boiled, microwaved, stir-fried, or eaten raw. However, over
cooking or boiling broccoli has been proven to reduce levels of
anti-carcinogenic compounds present in the food. It is therefore best to steam
it until it reaches a bright green colour, but no longer.
How You Can Add Broccoli to Your Diet
Adding
broccoli to your daily diet can do wonders for your health. A side of broccoli
at dinner, a broccoli salad for lunch, chopped broccoli along with eggs or in
an omelet for breakfast, and even eaten raw as a healthy snack is great way to
include this super-food in your diet.
All
parts of broccoli can also be juiced, including the stems, leaves and heads,
and it makes a great addition to green juice, along with kale, spinach, green
apples, celery, cucumber, and lemon.
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