Broccoli, a member of the cabbage family, is renowned for its exceptional nutritional profile. Incorporating broccoli into your diet can yield numerous benefits, as it is rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and calcium. According to a study by the Heart Research Institute in Australia, consuming broccoli can reduce the formation of harmful blood clots that can, in some instances, lead to stroke. It also improves the performance of clot-busting drugs afterwards.
The study found that the cruciferous vegetable contains a natural chemical called sulforaphane — a compound that can revolutionise stroke prevention and treatment.
Stroke is a condition where the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, which can lead to permanent disability or death. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, thousands suffer from stroke every year due to the disruption of blood flow in the brain, known as ischaemic stroke.
Lead researcher Dr Xuyu (Johnny) Liu said, “After a patient has an ischaemic stroke, they are treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a type of clot-busting medication to slow down the progression of damage to the brain. Unfortunately, it is only successful in 20% of cases.”
Dr Liu added, “What we found in a preclinical trial is that the tPA success rate increases to 60% when the medication is given with the broccoli-derived compound. This naturally occurring compound does not cause any signs of bleeding, a common side effect associated with blood-thinning agents tested in stroke treatment.”
“This means we could see paramedics treating ischaemic stroke patients with a broccoli-based medication as well as tPA on the way to the hospital,” he said.
Other health benefits
Helps in weight loss
If you want to shed those extra kilos, adding broccoli to your diet could be a good and healthier option. It is rich in fiber and potassium and low in calories, making it a must-have when reducing weight.
Boosts Immunity
Broccoli is rich in vitamins and nutrients, which can help reduce inflammation and swelling and boost our immune system.
Eye Health
High in carotenoids, lutein, and zeaxanthin, broccoli prevents age-related eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Control Sugar Levels
It can also keep the blood sugar levels under control as 100 grams of broccoli contains only 7 grams of carbohydrates.
Helps in bone density
Add broccoli to your diet if you’re facing bone-related problems as it is rich in calcium, essential for bone density.
Skin Health
Broccoli helps to keep the skin healthy and glowing by promoting collagen production.
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