Broccoli fast facts

• Broccoli is a plant of the Kale family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae).
• Broccoli is a part of the cabbage family.
• Eating broccoli reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and death in postmenopausal women.
• Broccoli is high in Vitamin C and also soluble fiber.
• Since the ancient Rome, broccoli has been considered a uniquely valuable food among Italians.
• Broccoli most closely resembles cauliflower, which is a different cultivar group of the same species.
• Many studies have concluded that people who eat an abundance of broccoli have fewer cancers of the colon, cervix, breast, esophagus, lungs, prostate, larynx, and bladder.
• Broccoli is usually boiled or steamed, but may be eaten raw and has become popular as a raw vegetable in hors d'œuvre trays
• Broccoli has almost as much calcium as whole milk.
• Broccoli was first introduced to the United States by italian immigrants but did not become widely known until the 1920s.
• Broccoli consumption has increased over 940% over the last twenty five years.