Brussels Sprouts Health Benefits

Brussels sprouts are a viable source of vitamins, antioxidants,  folate, and fiber. Also, they’re an excellent source of iron, and an obvious choice in helping to prevent fatigue and other symptoms of iron deficiency.

Here are eleven reasons that make Brussels sprouts taste even better.

Cholesterol

The high fiber content in Brussels sprouts (over 15% of our RDA) lowers our cholesterol. This is done by binding with bile acids that the liver produces from cholesterol for digesting fat.  These bile acids are coupled with fiber, the liver is charged with producing more bile acid to digest fat, thus requires more cholesterol to do so, lowering the cholesterol level within our bodies.

DNA

There are certain compounds in Brussels sprouts that block the activity of sulphotransferase enzymes which is detrimental to the health and stability of DNA within white blood cells.

Antioxidants

An antioxidant ingredients found in Brussels sprouts, including Vitamins A, E, and C, as well as the mineral manganese. Furthermore, flavonoid antioxidants like isorhamnetin,  kaempferol , and quercitin, also provide protection against oxidative stress on the body's cells.

Inflammation

A glucosinolate, Glucobrassicin   abundant in Brussels sprouts, fight inflammation on a genetic level once converted into the molecule indole-3-carbinol, or ITC. Moreover, 1½ cups of Brussels sprouts contain   430mg of omega-3 fatty acids (daily recommended amount is 1/3) which is an essential part of body's anti-inflammatory messaging molecules. Finally, the vitamin K found in Brussels sprouts effectively regulates our body's inflammatory responses.

Cancer Prevention

Brussels sprouts contain Glucosinolates and their detox-activating isothiocyanates shows fight against various cancers, including breast, bladder, prostate, colon, lung, and ovarian cancer.

Cardiovascular Support

Isothiocyanate sulforaphane in the Brussels sprouts not only triggers anti-inflammatory activity in the cardiovascular system and also prevent blood vessel damage. Brussels sprouts regulate inflammation within the body and fight against the onset of heart attacks, arteriosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.

Digestion and Diet

Dietary fiber in one cup of Brussels sprouts is about 4g (16% of the RDA), which prevent constipation, aids in digestion, check overeating and maintain low blood sugar. 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.

Vitamin K

Brussels sprouts are especially high in vitamin K (one cup contains 273.5% of the RDA), which promotes healthy bones, prevents calcification of the body’s tissues, serves as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, and is essential for proper brain and nerve function.

Vitamin C

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. Vitamin A 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, transform norepinephrine into adrenalin, 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.