Broccoli is a vegetable， native to the eastern Mediterranean coast. Also known as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage flowers, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts. 4 on Time Magazine’s list of top 10 healthy foods.
Basic Information
Broccoli also known as tender stem cauliflower, Italian mustard, stem Broccoli, belongs to the Brassica variety of Cruciferous family, first or second-year herb. Native to coastal areas of the eastern Mediterranean.
The piece between cabbage, Broccoli, main stem apex to form green red or purple hypertrophy, small bud, the surface is loose, not dense into a ball, to collect the bud of tender stems for food, nutrition, including protein, sugar, fat, vitamin and carotene, similar nutrients in vegetables, known as “crown” vegetables.
French and American scientists recently found that Broccoli is rich in vitamins and minerals,
It may even kill the bacterium helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach cancer. Interestingly, it is the substance that gives the green vegetable its “distinctive taste” that is responsible for its wonderful function.
The next step, experts say, is to see if people can eliminate this problem by eating Broccoli.
Currently, antibiotics can be used to get rid of these deadly bacteria, but the treatment is expensive and has serious side effects.
Physical Characteristics
Broccoli is similar to cauliflower in shape and growth habit, but strong in growth and heat resistance, and cold resistance.
The plant is tall, growing more than 20 leaves and then pulling out the flower stem. At the top, there are clusters of tightly integrated flower buds, which are green, so it is also called broccoli.
Leaves blue-green, gradually turn dark blue-green, wax powder increase. Petiole long and narrow. The leaf shape has a broadleaf and longleaf two kinds.
Broccoli is a kind of autumn and winter vegetable that likes warm and humid climates, has wide adaptability, and is easy to cultivate. The plant is robust and more resistant to heat and cold than broccoli.
At a certain seedling age, when low temperature is met, flowers and buds are divided into flowers. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 20 to 30, and the optimum temperature for growth and development is 15 to 18℃.
A higher temperature is needed in the early growth stage, suitable for 18 to 25℃, and a lower temperature is needed in the late growth stage (flower formation stage), suitable for 15 to 18℃.
If the temperature is too high in the late growth stage (22 to 25℃), the formation of flower bulbs will be blocked, the quality of flower bulbs will be poor, and the yield will be low.
In the seedling stage, the resistance to heat and cold is strong, and the resistance becomes weak in middle and late growth, and the growth is slow below 5℃. Broccoli is a low-temperature plant with long sunshine, which is fond of light.
Due to insufficient light, the plant grows in space, and the color of the flower bulb turns yellow, affecting the quality.
Therefore, when broccoli is cultivated, the light should be sufficient. Broccoli prefers a humid environment and requires more water, especially in the flower bud formation stage.
Lack of water inhibits the formation of flower bulbs and reduces the yield and quality. Broccoli has strict requirements on soil nutrients, and it is better to grow in deep, fertile, and well-drained loam or clay loam, with a PH value of 6.0.
Nutrients
Nutrients in Broccoli, are not only high in content but also very comprehensive, mainly including protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, vitamin C and carotene, etc.
According to analysis, every 100 grams of fresh Broccoli bulb contains 3.5-4.5 grams of protein, which is 3 times cauliflower and 4 times tomato.
In addition, the mineral composition in Broccoli is more comprehensive than other vegetables, with rich content of calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc, manganese, and so on, which is much higher than cabbage flowers belonging to the cruciferous family.
Broccoli may be most notable for its anti-cancer effect, Broccoli contains more vitamin C, higher than cabbage, tomato, celery, especially in preventing stomach cancer, breast cancer.
Studies show that when suffering from gastric cancer, the level of human serum selenium decreases significantly, and the concentration of vitamin C in gastric juice is also significantly lower than that of normal people.
Broccoli can not only supplement a certain amount of selenium and vitamin C but also supply rich carotene, which can prevent the formation of precancerous cells and inhibit the growth of cancer.
According to nutritionists, Broccoli also has a variety of indole derivatives, which can reduce estrogen levels in the human body and prevent the occurrence of breast cancer.
In addition, studies have shown that cancer is protected by an enzyme made from Broccoli called radish, which boosts the activity of a cancer-detoxifying enzyme.
In addition to fighting cancer, Broccoli is rich in ascorbic acid, which can enhance liver detoxification and improve body immunity.
A certain amount of flavonoids can regulate and prevent hypertension and heart disease. Meanwhile, Broccoli belongs to a high-fiber vegetable, which can effectively reduce the absorption of glucose in the intestines and stomach, and then reduce blood sugar and effectively control the condition of diabetes.
Anti-cancer
Broccoli contains antioxidants and cancer-preventing micronutrients, long-term consumption can reduce the incidence of breast cancer, rectal cancer, and gastric cancer. Broccoli and cabbage have the best anti-cancer benefits among fruits and vegetables, according to the American Cancer Society.
Blood Vessel Protection
Broccoli is one of the top foods that contain flavonoids, which in addition to protecting against infection are also the best vascularized, preventing cholesterol oxidation and preventing platelets from clumping, thus reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Rich in Vitamin K
Some people’s skin turns black and blue after minor bumps and injuries because of a lack of vitamin K. The best way to replenish it is to eat more Broccoli.
Good for the Liver
Eating more Broccoli also makes the walls of blood vessels stronger and less likely to rupture. Rich in vitamin C, Broccoli can enhance liver detoxification ability and can improve body immunity, can prevent cold and scurvy.
Rich in Vitamin C
Broccoli vitamin C content is very high, not only conducive to human growth and development, more importantly, can improve human immune function, promote liver detoxification, enhance human physique, increase disease resistance, improve human immune function.
Especially in the aspect of prevention and treatment of gastric cancer, breast cancer, the effect is plus, studies show that when the stomach cancer human serum selenium levels significantly decreased, the concentration of vitamin C in gastric juice was also significantly lower than normal, and Broccoli can not only give a person a certain amount of selenium and vitamin C, at the same time also can supply is rich in carotene, have the effect of preventing precancerous cells form, Inhibit the growth of cancer.
For the Crowd
The general population can eat, with no special contraindication.
It is suitable for growing children, people living in polluted environments who are vulnerable to liver poisoning, and anyone who wants to avoid cancer.
Broccoli is not recommended for people with poor intestines and stomachs. Broccoli contains rich dietary fiber and is not easy to be absorbed by the intestines and stomach.