Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts are one of my favorite veggies and I eat them almost every day. Incorporating them into your diet can provide your body with a range of important nutrients that help to promote good health. I love sautéing them with onions in a bit of coconut oil (avoid the bacon grease!) Here is a list of the nine most significant reasons why adding more Brussels sprouts to your diet can improve and extend your life!

1. They have powerful anti-carcinogenic properties, in other words, they fight cancer.

2. They help you avoid excessive, painful levels of inflammation. They are a good source of Vitamin K, which your body needs in order to keep chronic inflammation under control. Less than two servings of Brussels sprouts provides you with over a third of your recommended daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids, and these are necessary for the production of certain messaging molecules that can reduce unnecessarily high levels of inflammation.

3. They help to protect your DNA by promoting stability inside white blood cells. It is thought that they do this by blocking the action of a particular enzyme that can cause DNA instability. Nutritional experts say that you should have at least one serving of Brussels sprouts each day if you want to protect your DNA in this way.

4. They can help to lower your cholesterol.

5. They boost cardiovascular health. Studies show that regularly eating Brussels sprouts lowers your likelihood of developing heart disease, having a heart attack, and suffering from hardened arteries.

6. They promote digestive health since they are an excellent source of fiber. This helps to keep your bowels regular and helps to prevent constipation. In addition, some studies show that eating Brussels sprouts helps to protect your stomach lining by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers and acid reflux.

7. They can improve your resistance to disease by providing plenty of Vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes a healthy immune system that is effective at fighting disease. As a result, regularly eating Brussels sprouts should make you less likely to suffer from infections such as the cold and the flu.

8. They promote ocular (vision) health. Brussels sprouts are a good source of Vitamin A, and regular consumption of this vitamin has been proven to reduce your risk of losing your sight (as it lowers your likelihood of suffering from macular degeneration and glaucoma).

9. They do not cause thyroid gland problems. In recent times, there has been concern about whether cruciferous vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage) can negatively influence thyroid gland function. However, you can rest assured that studies show that eating Brussels sprouts every day for four weeks does not appear to have any impact on the way your thyroid works.

As is obvious from the above health benefits, Brussels sprouts are an excellent addition to your diet if you want to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Be sure that you steam or sauté them if you want to enjoy the full force of their nutritional power!