Reader Adam writes, "Which is better for you, broccoli tops or bottoms?"
It certainly is always a surprise when I see the questions people write. Thank you, Adam. Your seemingly simple question has been given me a little food for thought. Well, Adam, the answer depends on what you mean by “better” and whom you ask, but it turns out folks definitely have opinions on this subject.
If you ask my seven-year-old son, Julian, he would proclaim hands down that — if one is absolutely required to consume broccoli, it being unthinkable to do so voluntarily — the stalks, peeled and lightly steamed, are far superior to the bulky florets that resemble small trees. And, when they’re peeled and consumed raw, ranch dressing is required.
Dr. John Luna, professor of Horticulture at OSU had this to say: “The stalks should be ground up and made into cord wood; better yet, just lop off the stalks and feed them straight into the fire.” He also proclaimed broccoli the “queen of antioxidants,” as far as the vegetable kingdom, and he reasoned that, as with any queen, her crown is the most desirable part.
Of course, no discussion of broccoli would be complete without that infamous quote from our astute president: “I do not like broccoli, and I haven’t liked it since I was a kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m the president of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.”
Well, George, that’s your loss. Broccoli is full of anti-carcinogenics — it’s got isothiocynates, sulforaphane, and indole-3-carbinol, and it’s packed with the nutrient density we find in all the dark, leafy greens. The way these components work is by boosting phase 2 enzymes, which protect cells against cancer. A recent study in Sweden connects the intake of broccoli and other brassica family vegetables with a 20-40% drop in breast cancer. So George, I hope you will at least encourage Laura and the girls to eat their broccoli.
But, back to tops vs. bottoms. While a precise nutritional breakdown has not been done, the stalk is definitely higher in fiber and the top or flower is potentially more nutrient dense.
The bottom (Or should I say, top?) line is: eat whichever part the of broccoli you like, but eat it regularly. And, of course, and for obvious reasons, you should choose organically grown broccoli. You may even have an idea where you can find a dependable supply of organically grown broccoli. (If not, just write me and I’ll let out the secret.)
If you ask my seven-year-old son, Julian, he would proclaim hands down that — if one is absolutely required to consume broccoli, it being unthinkable to do so voluntarily — the stalks, peeled and lightly steamed, are far superior to the bulky florets that resemble small trees. And, when they’re peeled and consumed raw, ranch dressing is required.
Dr. John Luna, professor of Horticulture at OSU had this to say: “The stalks should be ground up and made into cord wood; better yet, just lop off the stalks and feed them straight into the fire.” He also proclaimed broccoli the “queen of antioxidants,” as far as the vegetable kingdom, and he reasoned that, as with any queen, her crown is the most desirable part.
Of course, no discussion of broccoli would be complete without that infamous quote from our astute president: “I do not like broccoli, and I haven’t liked it since I was a kid and my mother made me eat it. And I’m the president of the United States and I’m not going to eat any more broccoli.”
Well, George, that’s your loss. Broccoli is full of anti-carcinogenics — it’s got isothiocynates, sulforaphane, and indole-3-carbinol, and it’s packed with the nutrient density we find in all the dark, leafy greens. The way these components work is by boosting phase 2 enzymes, which protect cells against cancer. A recent study in Sweden connects the intake of broccoli and other brassica family vegetables with a 20-40% drop in breast cancer. So George, I hope you will at least encourage Laura and the girls to eat their broccoli.
But, back to tops vs. bottoms. While a precise nutritional breakdown has not been done, the stalk is definitely higher in fiber and the top or flower is potentially more nutrient dense.
The bottom (Or should I say, top?) line is: eat whichever part the of broccoli you like, but eat it regularly. And, of course, and for obvious reasons, you should choose organically grown broccoli. You may even have an idea where you can find a dependable supply of organically grown broccoli. (If not, just write me and I’ll let out the secret.)
