This week's health issue published in NewsMax.com on-line magazine, shares some wonderful information about broccoli.  They give us 5 (supported by research) reasons to eat broccoli every day!

 

1.  Nutrition champ:  Known as "the little green giant", broccoli is tops in the vegetable world for its nutrients.  It's an excellent source of Vits C, A, K, and folate plus fiber and heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids. (the kind found in fish oil) 

 

2.  Broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables like kale and cabbage, have important components linked to cancer risk reduction and they help regulate enzymes that fight cancer.  In studies, cruciferous vegetables have stopped the growth of cancer cells in tumors of the breast, uterine lining, colon, liver, lung, and cervix.  (Amer.Institute for Cancer Research).  The cruciferous vegetables also help the liver to detox environmental chemicals – pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, and the like.  Toxin accumulation is at the base of all chronic diseases, according to many well-respected scientific studies done on large numbers of people.  The higher the level of heavy metals (esp mercury and lead) the higher the rate of CHD and cancer, as well as diabetes.

 

3.  Broccoli with chicken:  Broccoli is high in sulforaphane and chicken is a good source of selenium. (a trace mineral)  The Institution of Food Research in Britain found that sulforaphane and selenium, together, make their cancer fighting properties 13 times more powerful  than either alone.

 

4.  Broccoli with tomatoes:  These 2 work so well together because tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals that can damage DNA while the compounds in broccoli help flush carcinogens from the body. 

Try this:  lightly steam broccoli crowns and toss with slivered sun-dried tomatoes (packed in olive oil).  Add some walnuts and pepitas and squeeze lemon juice or high quality balsamic vinegar over all. Serve with stir-fried chicken breast or chicken tenders (they cook so quickly and remain tender, so they're my personal favorite) Toss the chicken chunks with cooked quinoa with a few Tbsp of crumbled goat cheese or gorgonzola and a few more sun-dried tomato slivers.  (Add the cheese bits and tomato pieces into the warm quinoa after it's finished cooking)  Round out your color palate with cooked carrots or butternut squash and a fresh baked beet.

 

5.  Brain booster:  Researchers reported in the Annals of Neurology that older women who ate the most cruciferous vegetables and green leafy vegetables, like broccoli and kale, experienced less cognitive decline than women who ate the least amount of those veggies. (possibly because it keeps the buildup of toxins lower and the liver functioning better)

 

Many of the attributes of broccoli, cabbage, kale, tomatoes, etc, have been known for years.  But, now, research on humans is confirming what doctors 50 years ago observed in their patients: the more vegetables and fruits in the diet, the healthier the patient.

 

In fact, the reason these 4 plant foods were chosen to be part of the 17 found in JuicePlus+ is because they are champs at what they do.  And the synergy (multiplier effect) of the combination is why studies are able to show the long-term effect of JuicePlus+ on so many parameters of health. 

 

Aren't you glad you're getting your 17 each and every day?   If you’re not, order some today from my JuicePlus+ website:  www.maryannesharesjuiceplus.com