SUPERFOOD OF THE MONTH : BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Come April and I'm bringing to you a great superfood. Fantastic if you're on any kind of a detox trip and fabulous for general health. From prevention of certain kinds of cancer, to detoxing your body, to production of collagen (for great skin elsaticity) and prevention of some kinds of arthritis, the benefits are endless.

 Include a cup of steamed, boiled or roasted Brussel Sprouts in your diet twice every week, and you'll notice changes in your general wellbeing within less than a month.

Read on further for more detailed benefits.

Quoted from http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/ :

• Recent studies and continuous research has revealed that phytonutrients present in certain cruciferous vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, initiate the production of certain enzymes that are involved in the process of detoxification, by sending certain signals to human genes. It is this process of detoxification that helps in the elimination of harmful compounds from the human body.

• Consumption of cruciferous vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, also provides defense against prostate, colorectal and lung cancer. However, it is always advisable to choose the organically grown varieties, as they are higher in the phytonutrient levels.

• Vitamin C, one of the most important water-soluble antioxidant in the body, is present in high amounts in Brussels sprouts. This vitamin is very essential for the production of collagen (a protein), which is the basis of a number of body structures, like the skin, connective tissue, tendons, and cartilage. In addition, the vitamin is important for strengthening the body immune system.

• Brussels also aids in promoting a healthy colon and helps in preventing diseases like colon cancer and diverticulosis. This is due to the presence of high amounts of fiber (both soluble and insoluble) in sprouts. It is approximated that a single cup of Brussels sprouts contains around 4 grams of fiber. In addition, the regular intake of fiber helps in the easy passage of stool.

• The vegetable is also effective in the prevention of plague formation in blood vessels of the body. Apolipoprotein, a cholesterol transporter, is considered to be the main carrier of LDL to tissues and high levels of this cholesterol have a negative effect on normal cardio-vascular function. Sprouts prevent this by lowering the secretion of this transporter, with the aid of a phytonutrient, indole-3-carbinol.

• Folic acid, an essential vitamin for the proper development of neural tube in babies, is present in Brussels sprouts. Deficiency of this vitamin is linked with the development of a number of congenital defects in newborns, like spina bifida. It is estimated that a single cup of sprouts has around 93.6 mg of folic acid.

• Research has also indicated that vitamin C-rich foods, like Brussels sprouts, provide protection against inflammatory polyarthritis, a type of RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) involving two or more joints.

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Find delicious brussels sprouts recipes here http://www.squidoo.com/brussels-sprouts  ....if you dont want to go the pure yogi way by simply steaming and salting them. 

Enjoy !