Brilliant brassicas
When you were growing up, your parents probably said, “Eat your Brussels sprouts — they’re good for you.” Well, your parents were right! Brussels sprouts and their other well-known family members cabbage, broccoli, kale and cauliflower are all part of the cruciferous family. They are extremely beneficial for your health and contain some unique phytochemicals that have superior disease-fighting properties.
Cruciferous vegetables belong to the Brassicaceae plant family. They are some of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. These super vegies offer a variety of impressive health benefits including lowering cholesterol levels and the risk of cancer and heart disease, boosting liver detoxification and immunity, and even balancing hormone levels.
The brassica family includes broccoli, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, collard greens, rocket, watercress, rutabaga, turnips and turnip greens, daikon, wasabi, kohlrabi, radish, maca and mizuna.
Nutrients
Brassicas are loaded with disease-fighting vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Most of brassicas’ beneficial effects are linked to their unique phytochemicals that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid-and blood sugar-lowering effects. This makes them excellent food choices for helping prevent chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.
You’ll find plenty of vitamin A and carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin) in them — vital nutrients that help support eye health and good vision and reduce the risk of degenerative eye conditions such as macular degeneration.
These super vegetables are also excellent sources
