Did you know that broccoli might just have a super-power? New studies are showing us things we never knew about the vegetable that tastes good cooked, or raw!
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3 Things You Should Know About Broccoli
If your elderly loved one – and maybe even you – are looking for a way to ease the pain and debilitation of arthritis, it is possible that help is on the way. No, it’s not a new wonder drug. It’s broccoli! Even if you’re not a fan of the cruciferous vegetable, your joints may well be. Broccoli is literally stuffed with vitamins A, B, K, C, as well as potassium, zinc and fiber.
According to WebMd, “Osteoarthritis is a joint disease caused by the breakdown of cartilage and bone in joints. It most often affects the hands, feet, spine, hips, and knees. The main symptoms are pain and stiffness. New research in mice shows that the compound sulforaphane slows down the destruction of cartilage in joints. Eating vegetables such as Brussels sprouts and cabbage, and particularly broccoli, releases sulforaphane.”
Numerous new studies have found that eating broccoli could help prevent or slow the most common form of arthritis. Millions of people – in particular the elderly – suffer from osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease especially affecting the hands, feet, spine, hips and knees. The joint disease is caused by the breakdown of cartilage and bone in joints, triggering pain and stiffness.
- Researchers found that sulforaphane – a compound found in broccoli (as well as in sprouts and cabbage) – slows the destruction of cartilage in joints. A natural sulfur compound, sulforaphane can prevent joint pain in the same way COX-2 arthritis drugs do, but without the dangerous side effects. Additionally, the benefits last longer.
- Broccoli also is loaded with salicylic acid (SA), the active ingredient in aspirin. SA works to reduce joint inflammation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandin hormones that cause joint swelling and tenderness, but without the bleeding problems of aspirin.
- Broccoli keeps cartilage healthy. Just a single cup is loaded with 123 mg of vitamin C (twice the minimum daily requirement), which creates and protects cartilage. Vitamin C may also heal arthritis because, as an antioxidant, it is a front-line defense against free radical damage to joints. It also facilitates the absorption of bone-strengthening calcium.
Wrap Up
Whether you’re a fan of broccoli or not, if you suffer from arthritis, it’s worth finding a way to cook or prepare this veggie in a way, that you’ll not only like, but you might just improve you’re health along the way.
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