Broccoli contains a high concentration of sulforaphane, a compound often found in cruciferous vegetables that provides strong anti-cancer properties. Sulforaphane is produced when the enzyme myrosinase reacts with glucoraphanin – a reaction which occurs when the two compounds mix, often caused by the chewing of the plant. Young sprouts of broccoli are very rich in glucoraphanin, and thus have a high potential for producing sulforaphane.
In basic terms, the mixture of nutrients in broccoli can produce cancer preventative properties in your body. Individuals at high risk of cancer, especially of prostate or colon cancer, should increase their dietary consumption of broccoli. But it’s not as simple as that. It’s not just about what you eat, but how you eat it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxp0MFy-qpI
The recipe and method used for cooking broccoli will dramatically affect the health benefits that it yields. Before producing sulforaphane, there must be a reaction involving the enzyme myrosinase. Yet, cooking methods like boiling or microwaving will destroy the myrosinase enzymes, inhibiting the reaction and reducing broccoli’s health value. The goal is to prepare broccoli in such a way that it retains all of its enzymes and nutrients.
Typically, when you make creamy broccoli soup, the myrosinase enzymes are lost during the simmering process. So this time, after lightly steaming broccoli for three to five minutes, set aside all of the leafy floret, and save it for the last step in the recipe – the leafy buds is where the myrosinase enzymes are held. Take a look at this creamy broccoli soup recipe that’ll have your mouth watering while maximizing the nutrient yield from your meal.
Creamy Broccoli Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 medium stalks celery, finely chopped
- 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 cups fresh broccoli, including stems, set aside florets after steaming.
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup feta cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat oil over medium heat in a large pot. Sauté celery and onion for four minutes, until softened.
- Add potatoes and broccoli stems, sauté for two more minutes.
- Add chicken broth and almond milk, bring to a boil.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for approximately twenty minutes.
- When simmered and vegetables tenderized, pour mixture into a blender and puree until smooth.
- Serve soup, and garnish each bowl with abundance of feta cheese and broccoli buds – enabling the reaction producing sulforaphane.
Makes roughly six servings.
*Article originally appeared at Healthy Holistic Living.
