There is a good reason why this particular vegetable is hailed as a wonder food.
A recent study published in American Journal of Hypertension has shown that it is remarkable for lowering blood pressure. In fact, consuming this ONE vegetable can lower your blood pressure as much as 15 points.
In the study conducted at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, hypertensive rats were given a compound derived from Broccoli. On the average, the rat’s blood pressure lowered 11%.
If broccoli works anything similar with humans, we could be looking at 10-15 point drop in blood pressure by consuming broccoli or the compounds found in broccoli.
So how does this work?
The compound found in broccoli called glucosinolate produces a metabolite product called sulforaphane that has long been known to improve blood pressure and kidney functioning.
Even though this compound is found in all cruciferous vegetables, broccoli has the highest concentration.
The glucosinolate works by decreasing oxidative stress and blood pressure. At the molecular level, it also increases DNA methylation, suggesting that this molecular phenomenon could play a role in hypertension regulation.
This study doesn’t say that you need to eat broccoli day in and day out. It’s more of an added proof that you should include as much greens (including broccoli) in your diet as you can.
I always knew that broccoli was healthy but didn’t know it lowered blood pressure. Guess my mother was right 🙂
I actually prefer cauliflower and I’ve heard that it’s actually better glucosinolate in cauliflower than broccoli. But I guess it’s mostly about what you like more.
we are already using coconut oil and broocoli for many years and notice the effect on us
Do you have to consume it raw?
Steamed is best….if you boil nutrients will leach into the water…..with steaming it wont…….Actually the best way to go is “Broccoli sprouts”……these are way,way more nutritious than broccoli heads.
Good
For the past 5 years I have been reading articles on greens and brocoli and then switched on to greens and brocoli with much less non veg, that I used to eat. I find changes to better results. Food doesnt seem heavy any more thus making myself more active. Tilak r. Mehra
I have eaten brocoli for years and it hasn't lowered my blood pressure.
Broccoli is a very good veggie to help improve your over-all health.
Broccoli is a staple in my house. So is kale, collards, and mustard greens. Also cabbage. My family served these veggies since I was a child. I guess they were cheap back then. My family made them taste real good and we liked them. Back then we didn’t know how healthy these greens were, and how blessed we were to have them as part of our diet. We were healthy children, and are still healthy to this day. All the above greens are eaten regularly by my entire extended family. Dinner would be incomplete without them.
interesting topic
Also try having 3 stalks of cellery daily for one month. either raw or in form of juice