Are Brussels Sprouts Good For You? Nutrition and Health Benefits

Unlayering the question, Yes! Brussels Sprouts are good for you. Any leafy vegetable is good for humans. Brussels Sprouts are packed with nutrients that help you live a healthy life. They have many properties that contribute to your overall well-being.

Brussels sprouts are high in fiber and antioxidants that benefit an improved digestive system and protect cells from damage. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals that play a crucial role in promoting good health. Since it is compounded with 86% of water, you stay hydrated and your body also detoxifies. 

Brussels Sprouts are also considered Super Foods as they contain nutrients like fiber, minerals, vitamins, antioxidant properties, and many more. They help keep the body hydrated and promote detoxification. They also contain nutrients that support the immune system and weight management. 

Brussels Sprouts carry a lot of nutrients in their tiny, compact leaves. This miniature cabbage is the powerhouse of vital vitamins and minerals that directly contribute to a better and healthier life in the following ways:

Brussels Sprouts are nutrient-concentrated vegetables. They contain high levels of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C and Vitamin K. They are low in calories but high in fiber resulting in a healthier body. 

The high content of Vitamin C and Vitamin K helps support Iron absorption and promote the repair of damaged cells. Vitamin C enhances the quality of skin and help contruct a better immune system. 

Vitamin K present in Brussel Sprouts help in better Bone health. They promote properties that help regulate blood clots. Whereas, the Vitamin A present in it helps in better vision. Similarly, the Vitamin B6 content in Brussels Sprouts help in good brain funtion and DNA repair, especially helping during pregnancy.

Brussels Sprouts contains Kaempferol. It is a natural flavonoid that has antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, and neuroprotective properties. Meaning Brussels Sprouts can help in body detoxification, repair damaged cells, and reduce oxidative stress. 

These are considered to help in relieving chronic inflammation like heart disease and even arthritis, as they are anti-inflammatory. They also contribute to promoting healthier cells and lowering the risks of cancer. Including Brussels Sprouts in your diet regularly can be a tasty way of investing in a long and healthy body.

As Brussels sprouts are high in fiber, they help regulate blood sugar levels. The fiber particles present in Brussels Sprouts slow down the absorption rate of sugar into the bloodstream, which prevents sudden sugar spikes and crashes of the blood sugar level. 

This specifically helps patients with diabetes or people who have a high risk of getting diabetes. Taking sauteed Brussels Sprouts as a side dish with any of your meals can make a huge difference in making your blood sugar levels steady and avoiding any cravings later on.

Fiber is the perfect source to maintain any cravings as it makes your stomach feel fuller for longer hours which will directly help you avoid overeating.

The vitamin C component in Brussels Sprouts helps in fighting off infections as it supports the production of white blood cells. Having a warm Brussels Sprout soup in cold seasons can skyrocket the functioning of your immune system. 

The veggie is also loaded with antioxidants that protect your cells from damage and also contribute to repairing them. They are known to reduce inflammation, further strengthening your immunity. 

As Brussels Sprout helps produce rejuvenating properties, it helps in better cell development and functioning. They help combat oxidative stress, especially when paired with citrus fruits in a salad, they boost a stronger immunity shield.

As previously mentioned, Brussels Sprouts contain fiber, which is the main reason to prevent sugar from getting absorbed into our bloodstreams. The high fiber content also helps in lowering cholesterol levels. It contributes by combining bad cholesterol and promotes excretion from the body. 

Since it is anti-inflammatory as well, Brussels Sprouts help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels and protect them, resulting in better heart health. Brussels Sprouts when paired with cherry tomatoes in a well-seasoned salad, become a superfood for a healthy heart. Moreover, the potassium found in it helps regulate blood pressure, which is another vital factor in preventing heart disease. 

Thus, Brussels Sprouts are a heart-healthy food loaded with fiber and antioxidants, helping to lower the risks of heart diseases.

You are what you Eat! 

Just by incorporating Brussels Sprouts into your diet, you are one step ahead in improving your digestive system. The high fiber content in the vegetable plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy bowel movement and digestive system.

The fiber acts like a prebiotic, providing your gut with good bacteria helping in digestion. A healthy gut microbiome is important for digestion and nutrient absorption. It helps it efficiently absorb various nutrients from different foods that we eat. Plus, Brussels Sprouts also contain glucosinolates, which help the digestive canal fight against harmful gut bacteria and promote a healthy balanced digestive tract.

So next time when you are planning for a meal, consider adding Brussels Sprouts to boost your gut health.

The Vitamin K content in Brussels Sprouts helps in absorbing calcium from different sources of foods. As we all know how calcium is an important element for our bones, so eating Brussels Sprouts might just be the problem solver. 

This superfood helps to keep your bones strong and reduces any risks of fractures. It also contains Phosphorus, which is the key component to maintaining good bone health. Calcium helps in building and maintaining bone density, whereas, Phosphorus helps in the structure of bones. 

The antioxidant properties have many features. It also helps prevent bone loss as it reduces oxidative stress. By adding this food to your diet, you consciously taking a step to support your bone integrity and overall health.

Brussels Sprouts have 0 grams of Fat. Yes, it is true!

You will not gain fat in your body by munching on this superfood. If you are thinking of losing some pounds off your weight, Brussels Sprouts will not only improve your gut but also help you be full for a longer period, preventing you from overeating.

Since it contains a majority of nutrients, you can also incorporate them into your meals every single day. However, a healthy and balanced diet contains a variety of food options. You may eat them raw or cooked, both ways can provide you with your daily nutrition, but it is advised to slightly cook the veggies for optimum results.

Research shows that properties found in Brussels Sprouts may prevent the growth of tumor cells by protecting them from aggressive enzymes known to advance cancer growth. These properties found in Brussels Sprouts also allow tumor suppressors to regulate their functioning.

A high amount of chlorophyll is found in Brussels Sprouts, the green pigment that we learned about in our school. Some studies tell that this chlorophyll may serve as an antioxidant that prevents the development of pancreatic cancer. The components in the vegetable do an amazing job of promoting healthy cell production and DNA defense. 

Some studies have also found that the sulforaphane found in Brussels Sprouts helps in blocking mutations in DNA that can lead to cancer.

At least once in our lives, we have heard of or even included vitamin C serum in our beauty regimes. We all are aware that vitamin C helps to brighten and lighten dullness in our faces. The best part is we get Vitamin C from this superfood naturally. 

This veggie contributes to the production of collagen which helps our skin to remain youthful and glowing. Collagen is a protein that helps in reducing fine lines and wrinkles. The anti-aging properties may motivate you to start eating this crunchy veggie from this moment.

The properties help in creating better skin elasticity for a more youthful appearance. Including this food in your diet is one of the many ways you can help take better care of yourself, inside and out.

Brussels Sprouts contain nutrients that are essential for maintaining good eyesight and vision. It is rich in Vitamin A and beta-carotene which promotes good eye health. It supports different eye-related tissues like the retina and other parts of the eye, making people have sharper vision even in a low-light setting. 

The powerful antioxidant protects eyes from being damaged. As it protects from all sorts of damages, it helps the eye to suffer from various eye-related conditions like cataracts, and age-related degeneration, which usually results in low eyesight.

Not only that but the properties found in Brussels Sprouts help filter harmful blue light and shield the eyes from developing long-term eye diseases.

One cup of cooked Brussels Sprouts contains 4 grams of Protein! Brussels Sprouts may not be as protein-packed as tofu and legumes, however, it does contribute to a significant amount of protein intake in your diet. 

Protein is crucial for building and repairing tissues, it produces enzymes and hormones, hence supporting your bodily functions. By including this veggie in your diet, you are incorporating natural plant-based protein directly into your body.

This is beneficial to your muscle functioning and growth, especially when paired with other protein-rich foods.

The human body is made up of 70% of water. So, we need to stay hydrated. But this doesn't mean we should just drink water or other liquids. We can intake water-rich foods like Brussels Sprouts which carry more than just water properties. 

These cruciferous veggies are made up of 86% of water. This helps you remain hydrated throughout the day. They are also a great source of folic acid (folate). 

As Brussels Sprouts are packed with other minerals along with a great source of water, your body is getting hydrated and essential nutrients all at the same time which results in better overall health and well-being.

Yes! Brussels Sprouts help in preventing Birth defects. The Folate component, which is also known as Vitamin B9, found in Brussels Sprouts, is responsible for rejuvenating our DNA, as it plays a vital role in cellular division and growth, especially during pregnancy.

Brussels Sprouts contain a high amount of Folic acid, and Folic acid is a water-soluble "B-complex" vitamin, also known as Folate. Folate is usually found in leafy vegetables, as per many studies say that Folate intake is linked with sperm abnormalities.

Hence, if you are planning for a baby, it is ideal that both parents incorporate Brussels Sprouts into their diet.

According to the USDA, 1 cup of raw Brussels Sprouts contains:

• Calories: 38 grams
• Protein: 3 grams
• Total fat: 0 gram
• Carbohydrates: 8 grams
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Calcium: 37 mg
• Vitamin C: 75 mg
• Folate: 55 µg
• Vitamin A: 664 IU
• Vitamin K: 156 µg

Even though Brussels Sprouts are considered extremely healthy, they might cause some adverse effects due to various reasons. Components found in Brussels Sprouts when fermented by bacteria in the large intestine cause bloating and gas.

Since it contains a high amount of Fiber, you are likely to have some mild discomfort in your stomach or may have diarrhea. Some people also might be allergic to different components found in the veggies leading to symptoms like itching, swelling, rashes, etc. 

If any side effects may occur, it is suggested to contact a healthcare professional.