The Real Health Benefits Of Broccoli

Your parents knew what they were talking about when they told you to eat your broccoli as a kid. This vegetable is one of the most popular produce options in the country, and for good reason. It is packed with important vitamins and minerals and boasts plenty of health benefits. "It's easily one of my favorite vegetables, especially from a nutrition perspective," says Brooke Scheller, Doctor of Clinical Nutrition and Director of Nutrition for Freshly.

According to Verywell Fit, one cup of raw, chopped broccoli contains 31 calories, 0.3 grams of fat, 30 milligrams of sodium, 2.4 grams of fiber, 1.5 grams of sugar, and 2.5 grams of protein. Broccoli contains many vitamins and minerals including folate, vitamin A, manganese, potassium, and other B vitamins. One cup of broccoli provides 135% of your daily recommended vitamin C intake and 116% of your daily recommended vitamin K intake. With very little sugar, trace amounts of fat, and no cholesterol, broccoli is clearly a nutrient-dense food.

Because it is full of vitamins and minerals, broccoli offers a long list of health benefits. Its high fiber content can help keep you full and improve digestion, while prebiotics keep your gut happy. "Fiber supports your digestive system. It helps food move through your body effectively and also feeds the good bacteria in your gut that keeps you fit," celebrity chef and certified nutritionist Serena Poon tells Eat This, Not That!. "Along with a diet that is rich in vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, probiotics and prebiotics support a healthy microbiome, a delicate ecosystem of trillions of bacteria that live in your intestines."

Broccoli can also help reduce inflammation thanks to an anti-inflammatory compound called sulforaphane. Eating broccoli can be helpful if you're feeling bloated from excess water weight. Essential nutrients and antioxidants can also keep your immune system strong and healthy. The bottom line? Eat more broccoli! It's a versatile ingredient that can be baked, broiled, roasted, and pureed. You can find broccoli in most grocery stores.