Have You Ate A Tree Today?   Have you had your serving of broccoli today? Broccoli is one green vegetable that packs a powerful nutrient punch! This common, green vegetable has been shown to play a role in the prevention of a variety of diseases including several types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, cataracts, stomach ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis   What is it about broccoli that gives it such a potent disease preventing effect? Broccoli is rich in a group of chemical compounds called isothiocyanates, substances which stimulate enzyme systems in the body to neutralize potential cancer causing damage. Isothiocyanates have been found to be particularly effective in preventing cancers of the lung and esophagus, although they are thought to protect against a variety of cancer types. Isothiocyanates have even been shown in some studies to slow down the progression of already established lung cancer. Broccoli is an excellent source of another disease fighting phytochemical called indole-3-carbinol, also known as I3C. I3C has been shown to alter the level of certain hormones in the body that play a role in the development of breast and prostate cancer. Preliminary laboratory studies show that I3C is highly effective at destroying breast cancer cells. Research is ongoing to determine if I3C can be used for both prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Broccoli is also an excellent source of certain vitamins. It provides two times the daily requirement of vitamin C in one serving and has as much calcium as a glass of milk. It’s also a rich source of fiber and vitamin A. Broccoli is truly a complex and richly nutritious vegetable which you should definitely consider adding to your diet. If you don’t like the taste of broccoli, try adding broccoli sprouts to your salads and sandwiches. These young sprouts have been shown to be even higher in disease fighting chemicals than the mature plant. Plus, many people prefer the taste of the young sprouts. One word of caution! Be careful how you prepare broccoli since the cancer fighting chemicals and nutrients can be destroyed by improper cooking. You should prepare broccoli using a method that requires the use of a minimal amount of water. Steaming is an excellent method for preparing broccoli. If you boil broccoli, the nutrients may leach out into the water so that you lose their health benefits. A recent study showed that microwaving with water caused a major loss of broccoli’s nutrients and cancer fighting chemicals, although more studies are needed to confirm this. If you must microwave broccoli, be sure to use the minimal amount of water possible. Another good preparation method is light stir frying which actually helps to release the beneficial cancer fighting chemicals, so your body can better absorb them. Now that you know the potential of broccoli to protect you against disease, why not consider adding more of it to your diet? A good recipe book can provide you with a variety of ways to prepare this healthy vegetable and help put you on the road to better health!