Antioxidants are a diverse group of chemicals that can be naturally found in vegetables, fruits and plants in general. DietaryFiberFood.com writes that examples of dietary antioxidants are vitamin E, C, A, phenolic acids, selenium, chlorophyll and cholorphyll derivatives, carotenoids, flavonoids, glutathione, coenzyme Q 10, melatonin, and lycopene. Broccoli is loaded with antioxidants which have many important health benefits. People interested in good nutritional advice to help stay healthy should consider adding more broccoli to their diets.
Antioxidants have an anti-aging effect because they are scavengers of free radicals, and other reactive oxygen species, which are linked with human diseases which include cancer, cardiovascular disease, and with aging. Free radicals have also been found to be associated with other aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
The George Mateljan Foundation has reported in The World's Healthiest Foods newsletter on "Broccoli's Antioxidant Benefits." Broccoli stands out among all of the commonly consumed cruciferous vegetables as the most concentrated source of the premier antioxidant vitamin C. Vitamin C can provide longer-term support of oxygen metabolism in the body if it is accompanied by flavonoids which allow it to recycle. Broccoli provides many of these flavonoids in significant amounts, including the flavonoids kaempferol and quercitin. The carotenoids lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene are also concentrated in broccoli. These carotenoids function as key antioxidants.
Vitamin E and the minerals manganese and zinc are other antioxidants provided by broccoli in beneficial amounts. The vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, and carotenoids which are contained in broccoli work together to lower the risk of oxidative stress in the body. Furthermore, the ability of these nutrients to support oxygen metabolism and to avoid excess formation of overly reactive, oxygen-containing molecules makes them equally helpful in lowering the risk of chronic inflammation and the risk of cancer. You should consider adding broccoli as one of the cruciferous vegetables you eat on a regular basis if you want to receive the fantastic health benefits which are provided by the cruciferous vegetable family.
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