Question
Do you have to eat cruciferous vegetables raw to get the best nutritional value or can you cook them and get the same?
Answer
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, rocket, watercress) are much better eaten raw as they are packed full of many nutrients and antioxidants.
The problem with cooking these vegetables, is that when they are boiled, their nutrients seep into the water which are then lost when these vegetables are drained. If you also drink the water, then you will get much more out of the vegetables. When boiling or steaming these vegetables, only do so for about five minutes to prevent too much loss of nutrients.
In addition to this, these vegetables should only be cooked for a short duration (5 minutes or so) to prevent loss of nutrients.
Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.
