Brussels sprouts are well known to have several health benefits, they might be small, but they are incredible powerhouses of nutrition.
Reasons to love Brussels sprouts
- They are rich in essential vitamins and minerals:
-Just like other fresh vegetables, brussels sprouts are quite low in both sodium and fat, while they have a ton of vitamin C, which is more than an orange, to ensure a healthy level of blood pressure and a healthy immune system;
-They are also rich in vitamin A that improve eye health, maintains healthy teeth and bones as well as prevents urinary stones;
-They are super high in vitamin K, which is essential for proper brain function;
-A single cup of brussels sprouts contains almost 25% of the RDA of folate that help the heart stay healthy and function optimally.
- Cancer prevention:
Just like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and bok choy, brussels sprouts belong to cruciferous vegetables too. Cruciferous vegetables contain cancer-fighting glucosinolates to prevent several types of cancers, such as breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer.
- High in fiber:
They are also a good source of dietary fiber, providing almost 16% of the RDA of it, which can prevent overeating, aid in digestion effectively.
- Weight Loss:
It’s a good idea to add brussels sprouts in a weight loss diet as they are high in protein and low in fat as well as calories. Due to the high protein content of them, dieters can easily make a replacement of high fat meats with low-fat, low-calorie brussels sprouts, and still maintaining the intake of essential proteins at the same time.
Season:
Brussels sprouts are available all year-round and the peak season is from late-September to February.
Pick:
Choose the brussels sprouts that feel tight and hard when you squeeze them, and avoid the leaves with holes or blemishes, the fresh ones should be with bright green leaves. Keep in mind that the smaller sprouts tend to be sweeter-tasting then larger ones.
Storing:
Remove the damaged leaves and store them in your refrigerator, they will last several weeks.
Preparation tips:
Prepare brussels sprouts properly to get these important nutrients to your body, and make sure they are not overcooked:
-Drizzle steamed them with olive oil, for a better taste, you can add fresh garlic
-Chop cooked brussels sprouts and add them into your salad, sauce or soup
-You can make a nutritious and delicious juice by mixing brussels sprouts with carrot and celery
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