Health is Wealth
Health is wealth-the power of broccoli
By Dr. Bill Releford From the Los Angeles Sentinel
Broccoli got its first taste of superstardom when President Bush the First famously stated, “I’m President of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.”
I believe the current administration would strongly disagree – and you should, too!
More than two decades later, broccoli is making news for the right reason: it’s a nutritional powerhouse.
Many scientists believe broccoli contains a number of substances that can help prevent cancer, and recommend that it be a regular part of a balanced diet that includes five colors a day to achieve better health.
But this super food doesn’t stop with cancer prevention.
Eaten raw, a single cup of broccoli provides more than 100 percent of the vitamins C and A that you need in a day. Prefer it cooked? Steaming preserves most of broccoli’s nutrients, so you’ll still get most of its benefits.
Broccoli contains more potassium than bananas, and a single spear of it has more fiber than a slice of whole wheat or bran bread.
It’s also high in vitamin K, calcium, beta-carotene, and antioxidants.
What’s all that mean? When eaten regularly, broccoli can help fight heart disease and prevent stroke. It can regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and detoxify your body. It’s also believed to help preserve vision, decrease inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and improve digestion.
If you hate broccoli, give it another chance – at least try out some new recipes. Or try broccoli sprouts. They taste nothing like full-grown broccoli, and have even more nutrients. Add sprouts to salads or sandwiches for texture, or use them in a stir-fry like you would bean sprouts.
Share your favorite broccoli recipes with me on Facebook or Twitter, and text “fit” to 313131 to become a member of Fit2LeadFit2Serve.org.
