Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are an important dietary source of many key vitamins and antioxidants. They are low in calories, high in fibre and very low in fat. Brussels sprouts make a great side dish to your meal and a great way to ensure your body gets the vital benefits it needs from this super food.

The fiber-related components in Brussels sprouts do a better job of binding together with bile acids in your digestive tract when they've been steamed. Brussels sprouts have been used to determine the potential impact of cruciferous vegetables on thyroid function.

A host of antioxidant ingredients are found in Brussels sprouts, including Vitamins C, E, and A, as well as the mineral manganese. Furthermore, flavonoid antioxidants like isorhamnetin, quercitin, and kaempferol also serve well to protect against oxidative stress on the body's cells.

Glucosinolates in Brussels sprouts and their detox-activating isothiocyanates are shown to fight against and even prevent various cancers, including bladder, breast, colon, lung, prostate, and ovarian cancer. One cup of Brussels sprouts contains four grams (16% of the RDA) of dietary fiber, which can aid in digestion, prevent constipation, maintain low blood sugar and check overeating.

The sulforaphane found in Brussels spouts also protects our stomach lining by obstructing the overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that can lead to gastric cancer. The nutritional benefits of vitamin C (one cup contains over 161% of the RDA) found in Brussels sprouts ensure a healthy immune system, ward against hyper tension, lower blood pressure, fight lead toxicity, combat cataracts, and serve as a powerful antioxidant that prevents “cellular rust,” which can lead to atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Brussels sprouts also contains over 20% of the RDA of vitamin A that boosts immunity, protects eyes against cataracts and macular degeneration, maintains healthy bones and teeth, prevents urinary stones, and is essential to our reproductive organs.

Folate A biochemical event called the methylation cycle relies on folate to properly transcribe DNA, as well as transform serotonin into melatonin. Furthermore, folate suppresses the amino acid homocysteine that has been shown to contribute to heart disease. One cup of Brussels sprouts contains a healthy dose of folate (almost 25% of the RDA) and the health benefits associated with it.
Contains: vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, fiber, vitamin A, potassium, vitamin B, tryptophan, iron, protein, magnesium, omega-3 fats, calcium.

Best Eaten: Boiled, alongside your lean protein meals