Broccoli is known for its numerous health benefits, which range from cancer prevention, to reducing allergic reactions, to strengthening bones and maintaining good heart health. This is not surprising given that broccoli contains high amounts of vitamins K and C, chromium, folic, magnesium and fibre, with multiple other micronutrients in smaller doses.
Our bodies require loads of vitamins when faced with high levels of stress. We enter adrenaline fuelled survival mode when stress occurs and, while some processes such as digestion slow down, our focus and mental capacity enhances so that the brain can calculate the best way to deal with the situation at hand. Our brain relies on micronutrients in order to function at its optimum level of efficiency making broccoli the ideal food to help the body get through a stressful time.
Broccoli does not only help the body when faced with stress, it helps avoid stress altogether. The high vitamin C content of broccoli helps to maintain healthy blood pressure and cortisol levels—cortisol is known as the stress hormone—and it maintains good health.
The immune system is compromised when the body experiences high stress levels which makes a person susceptible to illness. Vitamin C is known for its ability to fight off colds and flu because it strengthens the immune system, which makes it much easier to combat stress.
The most beneficial component of broccoli for stress is its high magnesium content. Magnesium is known as the anti-stress mineral and, when there is enough magnesium in the body, it keeps bad reactions to stressful situations at bay. Stress causes magnesium levels to drop, which results in higher stress levels.
It is important to eat magnesium rich foods during a stressful period to ensure that the body maintains high enough magnesium levels to benefit from its calming effect. Magnesium depletion is a serious problem and, if the body is exposed to high levels of stress for a long period of time, magnesium levels can deplete to the point where the person experiences symptoms of anxiety and depression such as: inability to focus; irritability; nervousness and sensitivity.
Vitamin B and folic, which forms part of the vitamin B family, are also present in broccoli and play an important role in reducing stress levels. Vitamin B and folic provide the body with enough energy to remain focused and driven throughout the day and when faced with a stressful situation. They improve brain function and memory in stressed adults, which allows for the individual to think clearly about the matter at hand and deal with it accordingly.
Our bodies are incredible machines which require a delicate balance of micronutrients and macronutrients in order to maintain a healthy mind and body.
Broccoli supplies the body with enough micronutrients to think clearly and problem solve when exposed to stress and to maintain low stress levels on a day to day basis. Even if you are not a fan of the taste of broccoli, you could easily grind it up in a food processor and seamlessly incorporate it into your meals.
This is enough reason to add broccoli to a morning omelette or dip it into hummus as a snack and ensure a stress-free life.