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The role of the cruciferae family in inhibiting cancer causing free radicals has been demonstrated in several population studies. It has been shown consistently that the higher consumption of cabbage-family vegetables, the lower the rates of cancer (especially colon and breast cancer). The American Cancer Society recommends that in order to cut the risk of cancer it is important to increase the consumption of the cabbage-family vegetables.
Broccoli is a one of the richest sources of Vitamin C . It is also a good source of Vitamin A, folic acid, potassium and calcium. More important than these nutrients is it's content of indoles, a Phytonutrients , that induces and detoxification of mechanisms and improves metabolism of estrogen in the body. The American Cancer Society's key nutritional recommendations to reduce the risk of cancer calls for ther regular consumption of the cruciferous vegetables broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, and cauliflower. The cruciferae family contains more nutrients with demostratable anti-cancer properties than any other plant.
Cabbage is an excellent source of , potassium, iron, and calcium. In addition, cabbage is the best plant source of the anti-oxidant Vitamin C Phytonutrients compounds dithioltiones, glucosinlates, indoles, isothiocyanates, coumarins and phenols.
Kale is a member fo the wild cabbage family, Brassica oleracea. Of all the relatives like Chinese cabbage, brussel sprouts and broccoli, kale is probably most closely related.
Kale like other members of the wild cabbage family is a good nutritional source of calcium, potassium, and iron. It is low in the mineral phosphorus, which is good because hight levels of phosphorus inhibit the assimation of calcium in the body.
Kale like the members of the Cabbage family is high in Phytonutrients that facilitate the bodies ability to generate is defense mechanisms.
Carrots are primarily a source of provitamin A carotenes. One carrot supplies approximately 2,025 retinol equivalents, or about twice the RDA for vitamin A. What are provitamin A carotenes? Of the approximately 400 known carotenes, about 30 to 50 known to have vitamin A acitivity these are the known provitamin A carotenes. Carotenes are most well known for their antioxidant
Celery primary nutritional value is its carotene and mineral content. Celery also contais the Phytonutrients coumarin. Per stalk, celery contains up to 30 mg of magnesium, 136 mg potassium and 50 mg sodium. The juice of celery makes a good electrolyte replacement fluid after exercise. The Phytonutrients coumarin has been shown to be effective in increasing the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms and increasing the activity of white blood cells.
Lettuce of the genus Lactuca from the Compositae family (the sunflower and daisy are also of this family), has been cultivated since the time of the ancient Greeks. Both the Greeks and the Romans valued it not just for it's culinary aspect but also for it medicinal value.
Lettuce contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C , Folic Acid, the minerals Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. The darker the lettuce the more the nutrient content thus Romaine and Red Leaf are at the top followed by Iceberg and Imperial lettuce.