If you enjoy super veggies, then this post is for you; it will make you appreciate Brussels Sprouts more.
Brussels sprouts, just like the name indicates, is a plant that is extensively cultivated in European countries, especially Belgium, for the sole purpose of its vegetable – a mini-cabbage lookalike. This vegetable belongs to the cruciferous plants category which includes broccoli, kale, cauliflower and cabbage among others.
This bunch of wild little vegetables growing on a stalk might look like a mini cabbage, but it tastes nothing like it. Actually, most people would agree that Brussels sprouts do not have the best of tastes, but their fantastic health benefits make up for it.
It would be understandable if you did not like the Brussels sprouts, but by including it in your diet, it might work out to your health’s benefit in the long run. On the other hand, there are some special recipes for this vegetable that would not make it taste as awful, hence making it enjoyable to the whole family. These sprouts are said to be great sources of a number of nutrients which help in:
Improving digestion
Brussels sprouts contain a lot of dietary fiber in them, which, considering its laxative effects, is good in keeping your digestive system working properly. This includes aiding in regular bowel movements and preventing constipation. In fact, one cup of Brussels sprouts contains 4 grams of this dietary fiber, which is 17% of your Recommended Daily Allowance.
Fighting cancerous cells
This vegetable, as small as it is, has Glucosinolates that help in fighting cancerous cells as well as keep off potential pollutants from our bodies. Some of the cancers that it fights include prostate, breast, ovarian, colon, lung and bladder cancers.
DNA protection
Studies have shown that Brussels sprouts help promote DNA protection inside the white blood cells in our bodies. This interesting health benefit happens when certain compounds in the vegetable help in blocking the activity of some enzymes in the body that cause DNA instability. So if you are interested in protecting your DNA, nutritionists advise that you have at least 1.5 cups of the mini vegetable a day.
Lowers cholesterol
If cooked properly, the Brussels sprouts can lower the amount of cholesterol in your body which can lead to a boost in cardiovascular health. This happens when the fiber in the vegetable binds with the bile juices produced by the liver to digest fat. The sprouts also contain some powerful compounds that help prevent damage to the blood vessels. By doing this, they can help in the fight against some heart diseases, hearts attack and arteriosclerosis.
In my next post i’ll share simple Brussels sprouts recipes.
xoxo
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