Nowadays there is a growing interest in our society for an increasingly healthy lifestyle.
You only have to take a walk to see how more and more people are taking time out of their day to do some of their favourite activities. joggingWe can also go for a walk or do any other activity that allows us to exercise.
The same goes for food and the trend towards healthy food.
And this is where we find broccoli, which has gradually become a symbol of healthy food due to its high nutritional value, its versatility, as well as its low calorie and carbohydrate content.
What is the origin of broccoli cultivation?
The origin of broccoli is found in northern Italy, estimated to be around the 6th century BC, being a widespread food in the Ancient Roman Empire due to its health and healing properties.
It was later introduced by Italian migrants to the United States in the 1920s, when it grew in popularity.
Nowadays, Spain and Italy are two of the main producers of broccoli in the world, with the particularity that it was in the Valencian Community, in the 70s, where the large-scale cultivation of this vegetable began, which little by little expanded to other communities such as Murcia.
Furthermore, broccoli belongs to the so-called "selectively cultivated" foods, i.e. we will never find broccoli in the wild, as it originates from wild cabbage.
At Iberiana we work with the best producers both in Spain and Italy in order to be able to supply their production all year round. Moreover, it is a vegetable that can be found all year round and whose season starts between September and October.
Benefits of broccoli
Broccoli belongs to the cabbage family, which in itself is a source of vitamins and properties for the good functioning of our organism and the prevention of diseases.
In general, all foods belonging to the cabbage family, in addition to being rich in vitamin C, if consumed raw or lightly cooked, offer B vitamins, vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, folic acid, selenium, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and various flavonoids in significant doses.
If we look at broccoli itself, we can see that it is one of the vegetables with the greatest benefits, as well as containing properties that help us to prevent cancer, anaemia and even eye health.
- Prevents the onset of anaemiaBroccoli has a high content of folic acid, chlorophyll and iron, making it highly recommended for people who tend to suffer from anaemia.
- It is a natural protector of our heartThe components and nutrients in the fatty acids help to eliminate the so-called "bad cholesterol" and thus prevent possible cardiovascular diseases.
- Regulates hypertensionAmong the minerals present in this vegetable, we find chromium, which is responsible for regulating the glucose present in the blood, thus helping us to regulate our blood pressure and prevent hypertension.
- Strengthens and protects our bonesBroccoli contains a high content of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Its consumption, therefore, helps to care for and keep our bones strong and makes it a highly recommended food for children and the elderly.
- Caring for your eye healthAs surprising as it may seem, broccoli enhances our eye care. Its content of nutrients such as zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, as well as vitamin A, prevents cataracts and eye muscle decay.
- Helps prevent constipationIts high fibre content makes it ideal for those who suffer from constipation.
As we have just seen, broccoli is, without a doubt, one of the vegetables with the most properties and benefits for our health. Are you willing to give it a try after reading our article or is it already one of your essential foods?
