10 Brussel Sprouts Benefits Skin
Brussel sprouts can be challenging to incorporate into your diet, but the numerous benefits they offer are worth it. These tiny cabbages are packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins K and C, manganese, folate, fiber, and antioxidants that improve your skin’s appearance by keeping it clear and bright. Here are 10 benefits of eating Brussel sprouts for your skin.
1) Contains Vitamin C
Brussel sprouts are a great source of vitamin C, which is one of your body’s most important antioxidants. Antioxidants can help fight free radicals in our body and protect skin from aging, says Francisco. In addition to brussels sprouts, other rich sources of vitamin C include kale, strawberries, red peppers, and oranges. The recommended daily intake of vitamin C is 75 mg per day. You’ll get a little more than that in just one cup of Brussel sprouts (approximately 137 mg). Vitamin C helps maintain collagen levels in our bodies, so it’s especially good for those with dry or flaky skin—and an easy way to add it into your diet is by eating some Brussel sprouts!
2) Keeps your heart healthy
Thanks to high levels of Vitamin K, eating brussels sprouts can lower your cholesterol, reducing your risk of heart disease. Vitamin K also encourages blood clotting and helps your body stay strong by preventing easy bruising and nosebleeds. In fact, a study published in Nutrients showed that people who consumed high amounts of dietary Vitamin K were 60% less likely to experience intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding within the skull) than those who did not get enough Vitamin K in their diet.
3) Prevents wrinkles and premature aging
Brussel sprouts contain high levels of vitamin C, which is necessary to synthesize collagen, a protein that gives your skin its elasticity and structural integrity. When you don’t have enough vitamin C in your body, it can cause wrinkles and premature aging. Vitamin C is also an important nutrient in blood vessel walls and connective tissue. It helps keep skin looking young and smooth. Additionally, Brussel sprouts are high in vitamins A, B6, and K.
4) Decreases inflammation in the body
Similar to broccoli, brussels sprouts are an excellent source of sulforaphane, a compound that may help suppress inflammation in your body. Inflammation is thought to be one of many factors that contribute to skin aging, so eating foods high in antioxidants like brussels sprouts can help your body look younger from head to toe. Try tossing steamed brussels sprouts with olive oil and roasting them in a 400-degree oven until they’re slightly browned on top—this easy recipe makes it simple to get more brussels sprouts into your diet!
However, if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory conditions, you should consult with your doctor before adding any new foods to your diet. Even healthy fruits and vegetables contain compounds that might irritate sensitive stomachs or allergies.
5) May lower risk of cancer
Brussel sprouts, along with other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, are rich in glucosinolates. Studies have shown that these compounds can help prevent cancer by blocking enzymes that promote DNA damage. In addition to fighting cancer, these green superfoods may also boost your immune system and strengthen your bones. 1 cup cooked contains an impressive 12 grams of fiber! That’s over 40% of your daily value! Fiber is great for lowering cholesterol and promoting a healthy digestive tract, but it’s also great at helping you feel full so you eat less overall. Eating more veggies will make you feel fuller faster which will result in eating fewer calories throughout the day.
Have you ever had a bad bout with gas? If so, then you already know how important it is to keep your gut healthy!
6) Strengthens your bones
Because brussels sprouts are packed with vitamin K, they may help maintain healthy bones. Vitamin K is needed to effectively utilize calcium, which strengthens and supports bones. If you’re not getting enough vitamin K in your diet, it can be synthesized from other food sources or supplements. However, if you get too much vitamin K, it could result in too much calcium being absorbed by your body—which could potentially cause problems such as calcification of soft tissue and blood vessels. Therefore, keep an eye on how many brussels sprouts you eat each day! (If you want to boost your intake of vitamins but aren’t a fan of eating veggies like brussels sprouts raw, try juicing them!)
7) Cuts down on acne outbreaks
The sulfur compounds in brussels sprouts are great for eliminating acne outbreaks. Sulfur helps to prevent breakouts by cutting down on excess oil production and encourages healthy skin cells. If you’re tired of dealing with zits, then look to brussels sprouts as a delicious solution. Try adding them to your diet once or twice per week. You can steam them or eat them raw. Either way, they’ll help clear up your complexion without any negative side effects.
8) Might prevent sunburns
Brussel sprouts contain high levels of vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that is essential to protect your skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation. This means that eating brussels sprouts can help prevent sunburns and UV-induced skin cancer. (1) vitamin C in brussels sprouts also supports collagen production, which keeps your skin supple and elastic. (2) The antioxidants in brussels sprouts may also slow down signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging skin.
9) Provides fiber to help digestion
Even if you don’t like to eat brussels sprouts, it’s good to get your five-to-seven daily servings. Not only are they full of fiber but they also contain glucosinolates, which can help prevent inflammation and improve digestion. With age, our bodies produce fewer glucosinolates, so eating more broccoli is one way to keep them at optimum levels. And look great without makeup! One study found that people who ate a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables had a lower risk of skin cancer. This may be because these veggies have anti-inflammatory properties, according to some research. The same study found that those who ate lots of fruits and vegetables with high antioxidant activity had an even lower risk of skin cancer than those who consumed fewer antioxidants. In addition, vitamin C from fruits and vegetables has been shown to reduce wrinkles by boosting collagen production under the skin’s surface.
10) Has anti-inflammatory properties
A study published in the journal Experimental Biology and Medicine found that dietary sulforaphane, a compound naturally found in brussels sprouts, could help prevent chronic inflammation. This anti-inflammatory property is what makes brussels sprouts especially beneficial to people with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Instead of using anti-inflammatory medications which can cause unwanted side effects, try eating two to three servings of brussels sprouts each week to soothe irritated skin.
