From puberty to menopause your hormones play a significant role in your mood, fertility and rate of aging. Irregular and painful periods, irritability, sadness, carbohydrate cravings, tiredness, not being able to have a good night sleep, premature wrinkles, hot flashes, weight gain, chronic yeast infections, and acne are just a few ways your body is letting you know something isn’t right, something is out of balance. A simple way you can help your body achieve a hormonal balance is to incorporate broccoli in your diet.
Indole 3 Carbinol
Indole 3 Carbinol is a compound found in cruicerous vegetables, such as broccoli. By its influence on estrogens in the body, this compound helps to rectify fatigue, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. It also helps to reduce breast tenderness and painful periods. Indole 3 Carbinol is responsible for converting excess estrogen. This is important since too much estrogens circulating in your system can cause PMS, acne even play a role in breast cancer development.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C in broccoli promotes collagen production, which is needed to help slow down the aging process. Vitamin C is also necessary for health of the adrenal glands helping you feel more energetic and lively!
Calcium & Magnesium
Calcium & Magnesium are minerals found in broccoli that are involved in muscle contraction and relaxation. Balancing out the two can be helpful in reducing menstrual pain.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A has many important roles in the body and it is also an antioxidant. Vitamin A along with vitamin C and Indole 3 Carbinol make broccoli an anti aging powerhouse. Working from inside out to prevent the formation of new wrinkles and helping you look more youthful.
Fiber
Fiber is great for weight control. The more excess fat there is, the more estrogens is being produced. Too much estrogen can be a problem. Excessive estrogen can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance causing irregular period and fibroids.
Broccoli is very filling specifically because of its high fiber content. It is also low in calories. It is a perfect way to fill up without feeling guilty about the caloric intake.
Here is an easy, delicious, and colourful salad recipe to help you add broccoli to your dinner table.
Broccoli Salad Recipe
Ingredients
1 head broccoli
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
¼ cup of raisons
¼ cup of dried cranberries
1.5 tablespoons of sunflower seeds
1.5 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
Mayonnaise, Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
**Feel free to play around with the proportions to create a salad that suits your personal taste.**
Wash and cut off the broccoli heads separating them into small florets
Place in boiling water for only a couple of minutes
Run under cold water to prevent overcooking. The broccoli florets should still be crunchy but soft enough to eat enjoyably.
Mix all ingredients together and enjoy.