Broccoli is a dark green plant that belongs to the same family as cabbage, kale and cauliflower. It originates from Asia Minor, and it arrived in Europe in the 16th century, when the French queen Catherine de 'Medici realized the benefits of this vegetable and decided to make it a part of her table. From the land of Gallic roosters, broccoli then arrived in England, under the name Italian asparagus. It first appeared in America in the 18th century. Today it is mostly grown and eaten in Mediterranean countries. In modern times, it is spoken of as a vegetable that is at the top of the list of foods important for a healthy diet.
This vegetable is an excellent antioxidant, extremely rich in vitamins A, C and E, which slow down cell damage caused by free radicals. For example, it contains twice as much vitamin C as oranges. Broccoli is especially recommended for pregnant women because it has higher amounts of folic acid and as many as nine B vitamins. In addition, women who take folic acid into their body reduce the risk of developing uterine and lung cancer. It also contains minerals - calcium, magnesium, potassium and significant amounts of iron. It is also rich in fiber, which has a positive effect on the digestive organs.
Red beans, like most legumes, are an excellent source of both types of dietary fiber important for optimal health: insoluble and soluble fiber. Just one cup provides approximately half of the daily fiber requirement. About a quarter of fiber is a soluble type, which lowers cholesterol and keeps blood sugar balanced. The rest of the fiber in the beans is insoluble. This is a type of fiber that protects your digestive tract and helps prevent diverticular disease. Fiber can also help control body weight, because it creates a feeling of satiety and maintains satiety for longer. As a source of thiamine (vitamin B1), the consumption of red beans stimulates attention and memory, which is especially useful during periods of intellectual overload, eliminates insomnia, fights depression, fatigue and anxiety and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
In addition to all the above benefits, regular consumption of red beans strengthens teeth and bones, can help you lose weight, reduces the risk of heart attack and gives energy to the whole body!
Today I made this healthy salad for my family. I used broccoli, red beans, carrots, sweet corn, green beans, garlic and lemon.
Try it for yourself! It is very healthy, tasty and decorative.
I love that! I never tried red beans, that made we wanna try how it tastes like. Very healthy!