Brussels sprouts: Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects

This is categorized as a member of the Brassicaeae family of vegetables and some of the closely related vegetables are said to be mustard greens, kale and cauliflower.

The cruciferous vegetables are known to be very similar in resemblance to that of a mini cabbage.

This is typically cut into pieces, cleaned and then cooked and this makes a very nutritious main course as well as a side dish.

This can be found in the fresh form in the fresh section of your grocery store throughout the year.

While you are picking up this item you need to make sure that you avoid all of those which have turned yellow and soft.

You need to choose those brussel sprouts which are very firm when touched and are green in color.

You can also store this in your fridge for 1 week.

The brussels sprouts are very nutritious as they contain a lot of vitamins, minerals and fibers.

This is generally rich in vitamin K that is considered to be very important for bone health and blood clotting.

It is also rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which helps in the promotion of this procedure of iron absorption.

This also helps in the process of tissue repair and immune function as well.

It has a very high amount of fiber in it which is helpful in maintaining and supporting gut health and regularity.

Apart from the above-mentioned nutrients it has small amounts or traces of phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, thiamine, etc.

As it has so many nutrients in it and so many other properties as well, it has so many health benefits associated with itself as well and some of them are written below:

It has so many health benefits but the stand out benefit of this vegetable is its antioxidative property which is the stand out one.

This is very rich in antioxidative compounds which is known for promoting the overall health of a person.

It is also helpful in preventing the cells from getting damaged.

When you eat this as a part of your regular diet through fruits and vegetables, you can supply antioxidants to your body which it needs for maintaining good health.

A half cup of cooked brussels sprout will have around 2 grams of fiber.

Fiber is regarded as a very important part for our health and when it is included in a good amount in the diet can have so many health benefits.

Dietary fibers can help relieve constipation just by enhancing the frequency of stool.

It is also helpful in easing the passage just by making the stool consistency soft.

When you take higher amounts of fiber you have decreased risk of developing heart diseases.

You can eat this vegetable along with certain other brilliant sources of fiber like whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

This way you can fulfill all your fiber needs.

They are an excellent source of vitamin K and this is known to play a very important role in our body.

This is considered to be a necessity for coagulation and for the formation of blood clots that is responsible for stopping bleeding.

It is also helpful in bone growth and can prevent the body against osteoporosis which is a condition characterized by the progressive bone loss.

Majority of the people who take blood thinning medications should boost their vitamin K intake as it will have so many health benefits for them.

Apart from the impressive nutrient content of this, there are so many health benefits that can help to keep the blood sugar level steady.

Increased intake of the cruciferous vegetables which includes brussels sprouts may help to reduce the risk of diabetes.

This regulation is possible because of the fiber content of the brussels sprouts.

You can stabilize your blood sugar level just by adding brussels sprouts along with your healthy diet.

Inflammation is considered to be a normal immune response but when you suffer from chronic inflammation you should know it contributes to diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

As this is rich in antioxidants that is found to be helpful in the neutralization of free radicals which are the reason for inflammation.

A diet which contains a lot of cruciferous vegetables like this one may decrease the inflammation and it also reduces the risk of any kind of pro inflammatory disease.

Half cup of cooked brussels sprouts will give you around 48 mg of vitamin C.

This nutrient is considered to be very important for the formation and repair of the tissues in the body.

It also acts as an antioxidant which involves the production of various kinds of proteins like collagen.

It is also helpful in increasing the immunity of the body.

It can also help in the enhanced absorption of non heme iron which is usually found in plant foods.

Your body is unable to absorb this particular type of iron more easily than the iron coming out of animal sources.

Vitamin C can be obtained through so many sources, fruits and vegetables but brussels sprouts is one of the excellent sources.

You can just add one or two servings of this in your diet just a few times a week and this will help your body to meet the vitamin C needs.

You can use this in so many forms as this is very easy to introduce and mix with various side dishes and entrees.

You can enjoy this just by boiling, roasting, baking or sauteing it.

You can cut off the ends, then, mix it in olive oil along with pepper, salt and after mixing you can roast it on a baking sheet until it has turned crispy.

You can add this to your pasta as well or you can stir fry it for a very flavorful and nutritious dinner.

You can also incorporate this with frittatas.

The consumption of brussels sprouts can lead you to suffer from some side effects and allergies as well which are listed below:

• When you eat raw brussels sprouts you can experience gas.
• People who have thyroid problems should consume it in low quantities
• because it has iodine inhibiting properties.
• Skin rash
• Runny nose
• Swelling
• Redness
• Headache

The initial appearance of brussels sprouts was noticed in the 5th century in the European region.

Later in the 13th century the cultivation of this vegetable was started near Brussels in Belgium.

The derivation of the name of this vegetable comes from the place it has been cultivated.

Brussels sprouts are found to be very rich in vitamin, fiber, antioxidants and minerals which makes it a very nutritious thing to be added to our diet.

It also has several health benefits associated with itself which includes the reduction of inflammation and improvement of the immune system.

You can have an amazing and a very positive change in your life just by adding this in your balanced diet.