Related news

Either they love each other or they hate each other, but what cannot be denied is that Brussels sprouts They do a lot of good to those who take them, especially women: they have a lot of folic acid, fiber and vitamins that will take care of and regulate them from the inside.

In the year 1500, this type of small, walnut-sized cabbage was discovered in, as its name suggests, Brussels. They remained in Belgium for centuries and were introduced into North American territory in 1812 thanks to Thomas Jefferson, the third American president in history. However, the rest of Europe discovered them a little later, during the First World War.

Today Brussels sprouts are grown mainly in Europe and the United States, where the largest planting takes place in California, far from the Belgian climate where they were born.

Benefits for women

After the scientific analysis that these cabbages deserved, in the middle of the last century, they were classified within the cruciferous familysuch as broccoli, cabbage and kale, with which it shares nutritional similarities.

However, Brussels sprouts are especially beneficial for women because of their high folic acid contentwhich will protect them from anemia, fatigue and depressive states, and for the following properties:

1. They are high in fiber, which will help prevent colon cancer In women, it will reduce their appetite and satisfy them more quickly. For every 100 grams of Brussels sprouts, 3.8 are pure fiber in different forms (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin…), which will create a good bacterial environment in the intestines and promote regular intestinal activity.

2. They have been studied by science for their anticancer propertiessince they have phytochemicals, such as glucosinolates, that fight against infections, viruses and against the appearance or creation of abnormal cells.

3. They are loaded with vitamins and minerals. In addition to standing out for folic acid, they are full of vitamin C, which will help women absorb iron better; vitamin K, vital for the proper functioning of the liver and to prevent excessive menstrual bleeding; vitamin B6, which prevents water retention, hair loss and hypoglycemia; and potassium, which helps maintain healthy skin.

4. The beta carotene in Brussels sprouts is the main antioxidant that these sprouts have, which will protect us from cardiovascular diseases and oxidative stress of our cells.

5. They have almost no calories, with less than 40 calories per 100 grams of Brussels sprouts.

How to prepare them

Brussels sprouts are part of a healthy lifestyle and with them we can cook healthy and easy recipes at home. With these tips, you will learn how to take advantage of this food that is so beneficial for our body:

-Before cooking them, it is recommended to wash them thoroughly with water and remove any discolored or yellow leaves.

-They are usually cooked whole, but to make them easier they can be cut in half or make an “X” in the lower stem.

-There are four ways to add them to our daily lives: raw, boiled, steamed or baked.

-To enjoy them to the fullest, it is recommended to try them in their different textures. For example, raw and leafless they can be used in salads, but they can also be added boiled or baked.

-They are a good option to add to woks and stir-fries, in a pasta dish or as an accompaniment to a main dish.

-To give them more flavor, Brussels sprouts can be accompanied with tahini (sesame cream), turmeric, seeds, nuts or dried fruits such as raisins or goji berries.

Any of these options is valid so that you do not only eat Brussels sprouts on Christmas menus, but throughout November and December, which are the months in which they are in season.

***Cristina Román is a journalist specialized in Nutrition from the Institute For Optimum Nutrition in London and editor of the website I Am Bio.

Follow the topics that interest you