Nutritionist says adding 'three cheap vegetables' to meals tackles inflammation, diabetes and insomnia

Broccoli is a 'superfood' vegetable which has great health benefits, according to a nutritional expert
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A nutritionist has said that people should be adding three vegetables to meals wherever possible. Luis Zamora told Lavan Guardia that the food contains sulforaphane, a substance which can have great benefits for inflammation, diabetes, stopping cancer and as a powerful antioxidant that protects cells and fights free radicals.

Sulforaphane may help alleviate depressive symptoms and anxiety, and it can also improve behaviour, communication, and social interaction in children with autism. The vegetables which contain it are broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts which could be added to meals to bring their benefits.

Mr Zamora also mentioned three less common but equally important allies: parsley, chamomile and celery. These plants, rich in apigenin, have calming and neuroprotective effects, ideal for combating anxiety and insomnia.

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“Adding parsley to salads, drinking chamomile tea or using celery in soups is a simple way to take advantage of its benefits,” he explains. In addition to providing freshness, these ingredients promote mental health.

Another prominent group is fruits and vegetables with quercetin, such as onions, apples, citrus fruits and red berries. This antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound can help prevent asthma, cardiovascular problems and metabolic syndrome.

The message is clear: nature offers powerful tools to take care of our health. Compounds such as sulforaphane, apigenin and quercetin are allies against aging, inflammation and nervous disorders.

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Speaking about the vegetables he said: “Let’s talk about the healthiest vegetables, the ones you should always eat: cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts. I’ll give you the reason: their sulforaphane content is a powerful antioxidant that protects cells and fights free radicals, and it reduces the growth of cancer cells.

“Parsley, chamomile and celery are rich in apigenin, with neuroprotective effects, ideal for combating anxiety and insomnia. And also apples, onions, citrus fruits and red berries because of their quercetin, which can help prevent asthma, cardiovascular problems and metabolic syndrome. We have to eat all sorts of vegetables, but be sure to include these ones.”