highlights
Broccoli is a huge flower made up of countless small florets.
Broccoli consumption has increased by 950 percent in 25 years.
Broccoli was born in Italy about 6 thousand years ago.
Swad Ka Safarnama: Broccoli is an exotic vegetable, which has kept its presence all over the world. This vegetable is number one in terms of taste and nutritional value. Eat it in the form of salad or cook it, it will benefit the body in every way. This is a special vegetable which keeps the ‘functioning’ of the heart smooth by controlling cholesterol. Broccoli has just arrived in India, but has made a mark in the whole world regarding its production.
This vegetable is included in hundreds of dishes
Broccoli comes in two colors, green and purple. In India it is considered foreign cabbage. But in quality it is many times ahead of Indian cabbage. Broccoli is a huge flower made up of countless small florets. If it is not plucked in the field, the seeds that come out of it will turn into beautiful yellow flowers. Since broccoli is very clumped, it is cut by hand instead of machine. There is also a reason that the stem of broccoli is also eaten a lot.
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Broccoli consumption has increased by 950 percent in the last 25 years. Image-Canva
Broccoli can be eaten raw in salad or boiled in soup. If the vegetable is made, then it is also preferred to eat it after baking. Today, broccoli is included in hundreds of dishes from all over the world. A decade ago, this vegetable used to be a cool-season vegetable only, but modern hybrids of broccoli allow farmers to grow it almost year-round in some areas. The popularity of this vegetable is such that in the last 25 years its consumption has increased by 950 percent.
originated in italy and spread all over the world
There is no controversy about the origin of broccoli. Food historians and food experts believe that it originated in Italy about 6 thousand years ago. Some also say 4000 years ago, but it is confirmed that it originated in Italy only. In ancient times, Romans and Greeks also regularly used broccoli as food. Thousands of years of history regarding broccoli is ‘dark’. It was the people of Italy who brought it to Europe in the 16th century. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, this vegetable started growing in England and America in the 1700s. In the next 200 years, it reached those countries where the weather was cold. It was liked because in terms of nutrition, it had left many special vegetables behind. That’s why wherever it reached, farmers and people accepted it.
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Came in India in 1990 and became popular
The special thing is that broccoli started growing in India in the year 1990. In fact, during this time the era of ‘openness’ had started in India and multinational hotels, offices etc. started opening. There was a need for foreign vegetables, keeping this in mind, Jitendra Ladkat, a farmer from Pune, planted broccoli seeds from Kenya during the Gulf War and grew them. The weather was ‘favourable’, broccoli grew and the country got a new vegetable.
The vegetable of broccoli started growing in England and America in the 1700s. Image-Canva
Surprisingly, today India is the second largest producer of broccoli in the world after China and the third largest producer of broccoli in America. Despite this much production, broccoli is always expensive in India. The reason for this is that most of the crop is exported to other countries. Spain and Mexico are also far ahead in the production of broccoli.
Broccoli has a special mix of vitamins and minerals
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), about 100 grams of broccoli has calories 31, fat 3.1 grams, total fat 0.3 grams, sodium 30 milligrams, fiber 2.6 grams, potassium 288 milligrams, carbohydrates 6 grams, fiber 2.4 grams, protein 2.6 grams. Apart from vitamins A, C and calcium, it is also rich in minerals. This special mix of nutrients is what makes broccoli special. According to well-known food expert and nutritionist Nilanjana Singh, this vegetable helps in protecting the blood vessels from any kind of damage. It contains fatty acids and fibers which control blood pressure in the body.
Broccoli is very good for heart health, as it also helps in reducing bad cholesterol, thus keeping the heart healthy. It is believed that vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, but it is also found in sufficient quantity in broccoli, which keeps the skin healthy and also strengthens the hair. Broccoli can reduce the LDL or bad cholesterol in the body. This LDL causes accumulation in the arteries which can lead to blockage of the heart or cardiac arrest. The fiber found in broccoli produces positive acid in the digestive system, which is likely to lower cholesterol levels.
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Also reduces the toxicity present in the body
According to Nilanjana Singh, apart from calcium, this exotic vegetable also has other nutrients like zinc, magnesium and phosphorus which play a role in keeping bones strong. The carbohydrate present in it keeps the stomach full, due to which the blood sugar remains under control. There is less fat and calories in it, so suppose that the weight was due to increase. Broccoli contains many antioxidants, it also has vitamin C which maintains immunity. It is also beneficial for the eyes.
Broccoli in general does not have any major side effects. Image-Canva
Experts also believe that broccoli has cancer prevention properties. This is because it contains folate (an element that repairs damaged cells). It also has the properties of detoxifying the body. Broccoli in general does not have any major side effects. If it is eaten in excess, then the stomach may swell or there may be burning sensation in it. This could be because it is high in fiber. Otherwise eat broccoli and get healthy.
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FIRST PUBLISHED : November 23, 2022, 07:01 IST
