Food - Drink
Why Are Cruciferous Vegetables Considered Superfoods?
By ALI FAGAN
Cruciferous vegetables are cold-weather vegetables that form flowers in the shape of a cross, and the most common are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Certain greens such as collards, arugula, and kale are also considered cruciferous, as well as radishes, turnips, horseradish, kohlrabi, bok choy, and even wasabi.
Superfoods are foods that have high volumes of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, yet are low in calories. Research has shown that superfoods are not a cure-all — although they do contain antioxidants that may help prevent cancer and heart disease, decrease inflammation, and improve immune function.
There are no scientific standards or regulations of how certain foods get labeled as superfoods, yet cruciferous vegetables are considered as such due to their nutritional content. Incorporate cruciferous vegetables into your diet through stir-frys, pasta, soups, in salads, roasted, as side dishes, or baked into casseroles.