BROCCOLI

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) is an edible green plant belonging to the cabbage family. This cruciferous vegetable is best cultivated in cool weather and grows 18-30 inches tall. Both the stem and the large head of tight green flower buds can be consumed raw or cooked.

Very low in fat and high in soluble fiber, broccoli provides protein and is packed with phytochemicals that include glucobrassicin, the carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, and the flavonoid kaempferol. Broccoli also contains glucoraphanin (the precursor to sulforaphane) and Indole-3-carbinol. It has a high level of folate and calcium, and is a good source of potassium, vitamin C and pyridoxine.*