Brussels sprouts belong to the cabbage family. This small cabbage usually has a diameter of 2.5-4 cm. Brussels sprouts have long been popular in Brussels (Belgium), and may have originated and received their name there.
Although common in the Mediterranean along with other types of cabbage, Brussels sprouts first appeared in northern Europe in the fifth century, later being cultivated in the thirteenth century near Brussels, from where they get their name.
Compound
Raw Brussels sprouts contain significant amounts of vitamin C and vitamin K, with more moderate amounts of B vitamins such as folic acid and vitamin B6; essential minerals and dietary fiber (fiber) are present in smaller quantities.
Brussels sprouts, like broccoli and other cabbage vegetables, contain sulforaphane, an organic compound known for its potential anti-cancer properties. Although cooking reduces sulforaphane levels, steaming and stir-frying do not lead to significant loss.
Nutritional value per 100 grams:
- Calories in Brussels sprouts: 179 kJ (43 kcal).
- Boiled Brussels sprouts - calorie content: 36 kcal.
- Roasted Brussels sprouts - calorie content: 36 kcal.
- Carbohydrates: 8.95 grams.
- Dietary fiber: 3.8 grams.
- Fat: 0.3 grams.
- Protein: 3.48 grams.
Vitamins (content per 100 grams):
- Vitamin A: 38 mcg (5%).
- Beta-carotene: 450 mcg (4%).
- Lutein zeaxanthin: 1590 mcg.
- Thiamine (B1): 0.139 mg (12%).
- Riboflavin (B2): 0.09 mg (8%).
- Niacin (B3): 0.745 mg (5%).
- Pantothenic acid (B5): 0.309 mg (6%).
- Vitamin B6: 0.219 mg (17%).
- Folic Acid (B9): 61 mcg (15%).
- Choline: 19.1 mg (4%).
- Vitamin C: 85 mg (102%).
- Vitamin E: 0.88 mg (6%).
- Vitamin K: 177 mcg (169%).
Minerals (content per 100 grams):
- Calcium: 42 mg (4%).
- Iron: 1.4 mg (11%).
- Magnesium: 23 mg (6%).
- Manganese: 0.377 mg (16%).
- Phosphorus: 69 mg (10%).
- Potassium: 389 mg (8%).
- Sodium: 25 mg (2%).
- Zinc: 0.42 mg (4%).
Other components (content per 100 grams):
- Water: 86 grams.
*Percentages indicate the amount of a substance relative to the recommended daily intake for an adult.
Benefits of Brussels sprouts
Here are 10 proven health benefits of Brussels sprouts:
1. Contains many nutrients
Brussels sprouts are very low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. This vegetable is one of the foods rich in vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and bone health. It also contains vitamin C, an antioxidant that promotes iron absorption and is involved in tissue repair and immune function.
What's more, the high fiber content helps maintain gut health and prevents constipation. In addition to the nutrients above, Brussels sprouts contain small amounts of vitamin B6, potassium, iron, thiamine, magnesium and phosphorus.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts contain few calories but are rich in many nutrients, especially fiber, vitamin K and vitamin C.
2. Rich in antioxidants
Brussels sprouts have many health benefits, especially due to the presence of impressive amounts of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are compounds that reduce oxidative stress in your cells and help reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases. One study found that when participants consumed about 300 grams of Brussels sprouts daily, damage to their cells from oxidative stress decreased by 28%.
Brussels sprouts are especially rich in kaempferol, an antioxidant that has been widely studied for its many health benefits. Test-tube studies show that kaempferol may reduce cancer cell growth, inflammation, and improve heart health. Eating Brussels sprouts as part of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help provide the body with antioxidants that promote optimal health.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts contain kaempferol, an antioxidant that may reduce cancer growth, reduce inflammation, and improve heart health.
3. May Help Protect Against Cancer
Some research suggests that the high levels of antioxidants in Brussels sprouts may help protect against the development of certain types of cancer. A 2008 study found that Brussels sprouts may protect against carcinogens or cancer-causing agents and prevent oxidative damage to cells.
In another small study, it increased the amount of certain detoxifying enzymes by 15-30%. The researchers suggested that this effect could potentially lead to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, although further research is needed.
Additionally, the antioxidants in Brussels sprouts can neutralize free radicals that are formed as a result of oxidative stress. Free radicals contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer .
Including this vegetable in a balanced diet, along with a healthy lifestyle, may help reduce the risk of cancer, but more research is needed.
Let's summarize:
Some research suggests that compounds found in Brussels sprouts may reduce the risk of cancer.
4. Contains a lot of fiber
100 grams of Brussels sprouts contain 3.8 grams of fiber, which satisfies our daily fiber requirement by about 15%. Fiber is essential for our gut health, and consuming enough fiber has many benefits for our overall health.
Research shows that dietary fiber can relieve constipation by increasing the frequency of bowel movements and making stool looser and bulkier, making it easier to pass through the intestines and rectum. Fiber also aids digestion by helping to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Increasing your fiber intake is associated with other whole-body health benefits, such as reducing your risk of heart disease and improving blood sugar control.
Women are recommended to eat at least 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should eat at least 38 grams of fiber per day. Eating Brussels sprouts, along with other good sources of dietary fiber such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, can easily help you meet your fiber needs.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts contain quite a lot of fiber, which can help improve digestion, prevent constipation and reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
5. Rich in vitamin K
Brussels sprouts are a good source of vitamin K. In fact, 100 grams of this vegetable provides the body with 177 mcg of vitamin K, which is equal to 169% of the recommended daily intake of this vitamin.
Vitamin K plays a vital role in the body. It is important for:
- blood clotting;
- the formation of blood clots that stop bleeding;
- may play a role in bone growth;
- may help protect against the development of osteoporosis.
In fact, one review of seven studies concluded that taking vitamin K supplements may increase bone strength and reduce the risk of bone fracture in postmenopausal women.
Keep in mind that those taking blood thinners should reduce their vitamin K intake. But for most people, increasing your vitamin K intake can provide many health benefits.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts contain high amounts of vitamin K, a nutrient important for normal blood clotting and bone metabolism.
6. May Help Maintain Normal Blood Sugar Levels
In addition to their impressive nutrient profile and long list of health benefits, Brussels sprouts may also help maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Numerous studies have linked increased consumption of cruciferous vegetables, including Brussels sprouts, to a reduced risk of diabetes. This is likely due to the fact that this vegetable contains high amounts of fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. Fiber moves slowly through the body and slows down the release of sugar into the blood.
Brussels sprouts also contain alpha lipoic acid (ALA), an antioxidant that has been widely studied for its potential effects on blood sugar and insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for transporting sugar from the blood into your cells, thereby controlling your blood sugar levels.
In one study, 12 diabetic patients who were given an alpha lipoic acid supplement experienced increased insulin sensitivity. The researchers suggested this was because alpha lipoic acid allowed insulin to work more effectively in lowering blood sugar levels.
Increasing your consumption of Brussels sprouts along with a healthy diet can help you keep your blood sugar levels stable.
Let's summarize:
The fiber and antioxidants in Brussels sprouts may help keep your blood sugar levels stable.
7. Contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids (ALA)
People who don't eat fish or seafood have a hard time getting the right amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Plant foods contain only alpha lipoic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid that is used less efficiently in your body than omega-3 fats obtained from fish and seafood.
This is because your body can convert ALA into more active forms of omega-3 fatty acids in limited quantities. For this reason, you will need to consume higher amounts of ALA omega-3 fatty acids to meet your daily omega-3 needs compared to fats obtained from fish or seafood.
Brussels sprouts are one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, as they contain 173 mg of ALA for every 100 grams. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower blood triglyceride levels, slow cognitive decline, reduce insulin resistance, and reduce inflammation.
A few 80-gram servings of Brussels sprouts each week can easily meet your omega-3 fatty acid needs, each providing 12% of a woman's daily value and 8.5% of a man's daily value.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts are a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, namely alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which can reduce inflammation, insulin resistance, cognitive decline and blood triglyceride levels.
8. May Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal immune response, but chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Some test-tube studies have shown that compounds found in cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts have anti-inflammatory properties. A large study found that higher consumption of cruciferous vegetables was associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers in the blood.
Additionally, Brussels sprouts contain high amounts of antioxidants, which can help neutralize free radicals that cause inflammation. Several studies have found that kaempferol (one of the main antioxidants in Brussels sprouts) has particularly strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Based on these findings, a diet rich in cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts may help reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of pro-inflammatory diseases.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants and contain compounds that may help reduce inflammation levels.
9. Contains a lot of vitamin C
100 grams of cooked Brussels sprouts provides the body with vitamin C at 102% of the daily requirement. Vitamin C is important for tissue growth and repair in the body. It also acts as an antioxidant, is involved in the production of proteins such as collagen, and may even boost immunity.
One study of more than 11,000 participants found that vitamin C reduced the severity of cold symptoms, reducing their duration by an average of 8% in adults.
Vitamin C can also increase the absorption of non-heme iron, a form of iron found in plant foods that your body cannot absorb as easily as iron from animal foods. In fact, one study found that taking 100 mg of vitamin C with food increased iron absorption by 67%.
Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, but Brussels sprouts are one of the best sources available. Adding even one or two servings of this vegetable to your diet a few times a week can help you meet your vitamin C needs.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts contain significant amounts of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant important for immune health, iron absorption, collagen production, and tissue growth and repair.
10. It's easy to add to your diet.
Brussels sprouts add variety to a healthy diet and can easily be incorporated into a variety of side dishes and dishes. People often consume it fried, boiled or baked.
To make a simple side dish, first cut off the ends of the Brussels sprouts. Toss it with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, then fry until crispy.
Brussels sprouts can also be added to pasta, frittata or fried dishes for a satisfying and nutritious lunch.
Let's summarize:
Brussels sprouts are easy to prepare and you can enjoy them in a variety of delicious dishes while reaping the health benefits.
Brussels sprouts are harmful
Brussels sprouts are extremely safe to eat. However, its consumption in some cases can cause increased gas formation (flatulence) and bloating.
It is not known whether Brussels sprouts are safe or what possible side effects may occur when used in medicinal quantities.
Special precautions and contraindications:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is insufficient information about the safety of consuming Brussels sprouts in medicinal quantities during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to eating regular foods.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Eating Brussels sprouts may cause gas. This can make IBS symptoms worse.
Excess consumption of Brussels sprouts may not be suitable for patients taking anticoagulants such as warfarin as they contain vitamin K, which is a blood clotting factor. In one incident report, eating too many Brussels sprouts accelerated the hospitalization of a patient taking anticoagulants (blood thinners).
Summarize
- Brussels sprouts are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them a nutritious addition to your daily diet.
- Eating it may also provide additional health benefits, such as helping to reduce the risk of cancer, reducing inflammation and improving blood sugar control.
- Adding Brussels sprouts to a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can potentially have a significant positive impact on your health.
The history of Brussels sprouts began in Belgium, where they were bred through crossbreeding (1821) and spread throughout Europe. In the middle of the 19th century it came to Russia. It has not found popularity here due to the harsh climate. Today it is cultivated in limited quantities, only in regions with a mild climate. Large suppliers to the world market: Holland, Canada, Germany, USA, France, Great Britain.
Beneficial features
The chemical composition of Brussels sprouts is characterized by a high protein content. It is 5 times more than in cauliflower and white cabbage. In terms of the presence of vitamin C, it is the leader among vegetables, including white cabbage - the amount of this vitamin can be compared with black currants. There is 2 times more vitamin PP, B1, B2, A than in white cabbage, and it also contains riboflavin (in almost the same proportions as in milk). Based on these indicators, Brussels sprouts can confidently be placed in first place among dietary products.
Nutritional value of Brussels sprouts: carbohydrates – 3.1 g, fats – 0.3 g, proteins – 4.9 g, dietary fiber – 4.3 g, organic acids – 0.3 g, starch – 0.3 g, water – 87 g, mono- and disaccharides – 2.7 g, unsaturated fatty acids – 0.15 g, ash – 1.4 g. Vitamins: PP, beta-carotene, A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, C – 100 mg, E. Macro- and microelements: potassium – 375 mg, calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus – 78 mg, iron.
100 g contains the daily requirement: vitamin C - 112%, organic acids - 16%, vitamin B6 - 15%, potassium - 15%.
How it affects the body
Brussels sprouts are a healthy dietary product that is recommended for everyone, especially the elderly, children, athletes, and those who control their weight and follow proper nutrition. This vegetable enriches the body with vitamins and nutrients, accelerates digestion, and promotes the removal of waste and toxins. Positively affects the condition of the heart muscle and blood vessels. It has a positive effect on the nervous, endocrine and bronchopulmonary systems.
The properties of Brussels sprouts are: restoration and stimulation of the pancreas, normalization of sugar levels. It has immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, restorative, anti-cancer, diuretic, choleretic, and wound-healing properties. Stops the development of atherosclerosis, anemia, and oncology. Extinguishes infectious diseases and helps in the fight against scurvy. Improves intestinal function, condition of the urinary system and gall bladder. Inclusion in the diet helps normalize blood pressure and eliminate arrhythmia.
How to choose correctly
Brussels sprouts are sold fresh and frozen. The packaged product is marked with the date of manufacture and expiration date. If you buy frozen vegetables by weight, you should make sure that there are no foreign impurities and signs of repeated thawing.
The quality of fresh forks can be determined by their appearance: the absence of traces of rot, mold, dark spots, the freshness of the top leaves. The stem is always light and clean. Cabbage with shades of yellow should not be taken - it is a stale or overripe product of low quality. Try to choose dense, bright green fruits.
Storage methods
Fresh Brussels sprouts can be stored at 1-5 degrees for two months. To do this, you do not need to separate it from the stem and keep it in a vegetable container. This product does not lose its beneficial qualities when frozen. For this type of storage, you need to blanch the cabbage for about 1 minute. Can be kept in the freezer for 4-6 months.
What does it go with in cooking?
Brussels sprouts are valued not only for their nutritional value, but also for their taste, with a predominant sweetish-nutty taste. Boiled heads of cabbage are used to prepare main courses, salads, to decorate the festive table, and as side dishes for meat and fish dishes. Included in marinades and vegetable mixtures. Miniature forks are stewed, fried, soups and cabbage soup are prepared with them.
Gourmets fry the breaded forks in oil until golden brown and eat them with cream or sour cream. Baked cabbage in the oven with meat, cheese, potatoes, eggs, and cream is popular. Some are eaten fresh with spices and herbs: basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, rosemary, garlic, celery, parsnips, etc.
Healthy combination of products
Brussels sprouts are an indispensable product in dietary nutrition. The broth cooked on its basis is not inferior in nutritional value to chicken broth. The product is actively used in weight loss diets. Helps you quickly lose weight and improve your health. A large amount of vitamins, mineral salts and protein eliminate weakness, tone, saturate, and give strength.
A useful combination for those who want to lose weight is a mix of Brussels sprouts, green beans, lettuce juice and carrots. This vitamin elixir burns fat. By using it daily and eliminating starchy foods from your diet, you can lose 4-6 kg of sugar in 10 days.
There are diets that rely on Brussels sprouts. They are simple, satisfying and affordable. In any season, you can organize an unloading on this healthy vegetable. The product goes well with rice, asparagus, cauliflower, carrots, eggplant, and shallots.
It is important to know the cooking rules. The properties of mini-cabbage are the greatest bitterness, especially in overripe fruits. To eliminate this drawback, you need to add lemon juice or a pinch of soda during cooking. Cook without a lid. A frozen product takes 10-12 minutes to prepare, a fresh product – 5-7 minutes.
Contraindications
It should be used with caution in case of high acidity and during exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases.
Application in medicine and cosmetology
Doctors recommend consuming Brussels sprouts to treat the pancreas, gall bladder, diabetes, anemia, scurvy, tuberculosis, asthma, bronchitis, and allergies. It is prescribed as an expectorant, diuretic, laxative and choleretic agent, as well as for intestinal problems, insomnia, viral diseases, and to strengthen the immune system.
In folk medicine, a decoction of Brussels sprouts is used to treat hypertension, cough, arrhythmia, and is used as a general tonic after serious illnesses.
The juice helps eliminate problems with the pancreas and is used to increase hemoglobin. It is included in the diet of pregnant women as a source of folic acid, which is necessary for the formation of the fetal nervous system. Brussels sprouts juice is an effective therapy and prevention of cancer. Juice-based compresses are applied to wounds to accelerate the regeneration of skin tissue.
From a cosmetological point of view, it is enough to include Brussels sprouts in your diet - your skin will be radiant, your hair will be silky, your body will be slim. Based on this product, there are many masks that improve skin structure, rejuvenate, and moisturize. The juice serves as an excellent lotion: it tightens pores, gives elasticity, firmness, eliminates flaking, stops the aging process, removes age spots and acne, and is suitable for strengthening hair and nails.
A paste of boiled or steamed cabbage helps relieve puffiness under the eyes. Fresh fruit puree with rowan juice removes freckles and whitens.
Belgian “dwarf” - this is how Brussels sprouts are lovingly called by their admirers (and you probably thought about Hercule Poirot?). And there is nothing offensive in this. Cabbage is actually small - the heads of cabbage barely reach 5 cm in diameter. And this type of cabbage was developed from leafy cabbage by farmers from Belgium. And Carl Linnaeus decided to perpetuate the work of vegetable growers, calling it Brussels sprouts. It was then that breeders from Turkey, the Czech Republic and Holland developed their own varieties based on the main variety.
The plantation on which Brussels sprouts grow looks interesting; the photo will clearly demonstrate this to you. The stem is up to 95 cm high and is topped with cabbage leaves. But they are not valued and used for food. Around the entire stem from the ground to the top, small cabbage heads are located on small cuttings. This is Brussels sprouts, carefully bred by the Belgians. From one bush you can remove 50, 70, or 90 heads of small cabbage.
The value of Brussels sprouts
Yes, Brussels sprouts are small, but their benefits are, however, incomparable to their size. One in cabbage contains from 85 to 120 mg for every 100 g, and this is more than in, and the same as in black currant. So we can’t be healthy by fruits alone; vegetables are also good helpers.
In addition to vitamin C, small heads of cabbage contain vitamins A and K, group and PP, vitamin E and. But that's not all. The amount of calcium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium contained in cabbage is enough to take care of our bones and internal organs, and nerves. These are macronutrients. Among trace elements, analysis can detect iodine and copper, iron and fluorine, molybdenum and manganese, cobalt and zinc. It’s amazing how the heads of cabbage with such a content of elements do not ring or become magnetic.
There is not much in cabbage, only 1 gram, the calorie content per 100 g of fruit is 28-40 kcal. And yet, Brussels sprouts are considered dietary products and help to lose extra pounds.
Useful properties of Brussels sprouts
Such small Brussels sprouts, their beneficial properties, however, are oh so great. The vegetable helps cure or alleviate many diseases. And this is not only intestinal peristalsis, that is, improved digestion - all cabbage relatives are famous for this quality.
Here is a sample list of ailments that Brussels sprouts can help treat. Benefits and harms, I wonder if it has any advantages or only advantages:
- anemia and diabetes;
- coronary heart disease and insomnia;
- tuberculosis and constipation;
- bronchitis, tracheitis and other similar diseases;
- atherosclerosis and asthma;
- problems with the pancreas and urinary system.
Cabbage is useful for expectant mothers. The high content of folic acid makes it invaluable for the little person growing inside - the baby develops better and without any deviations (if this is not a pathology).
And cabbage juice speeds up the healing of wounds and cuts, acting as an antiseptic. Sailors take dried or frozen heads of cabbage with them on long voyages as a remedy for scurvy and other inflammatory processes.
As it turns out, there are also contraindications. But they are associated with exacerbations of diseases.
So, with gastritis with high acidity, exacerbation of ulcers or acute pain in the gastrointestinal tract, after operations on the chest or abdominal cavity, immediately after a heart attack, it is better to take care and stop eating cabbage for a while. People with thyroid problems should not eat it either - the substances contained in cabbage cause disruption of the gland, interfere with the absorption of iodine and can even provoke hypothyroidism. This applies to all cruciferous products.
How to cook delicious Brussels sprouts?
Like any cabbage, Brussels sprouts do not like prolonged cooking. It is enough to boil the heads of cabbage for 4-7 minutes so that they retain their sweetish taste and elastic structure.
To ensure that the vegetables are cooked and crispy at the same time, you need to use one trick. In the beloved TV series “Kitchen,” local celebrity Rodion Sergeevich taught the novice chef Max the art of cooking al dente vegetables. After boiling, the vegetables are placed in a colander and immediately immersed in ice water. Try it, you will like it.
You can already prepare a variety of dishes from cabbage. From vegetable risotto to vegetable casserole. Have you already peeled and washed your Brussels sprouts? We post recipes for finger-licking dishes immediately.
Salad
This salad needs to be eaten before it gets cold. Although it is good in any form.
- Fry about 100 grams of a mixture of any nuts (,) in a frying pan and cut into large pieces.
- Melt a couple of large spoons of butter in a frying pan, squeeze out a clove and sprinkle with a pinch. Add salt to taste, pepper and mix.
- You already know how to cook Brussels sprouts. Boil it. We need 500 grams.
- Place the vegetable in a frying pan with aromatic nut oil and stir.
- Place in a salad bowl and serve immediately. You can crumble the cheese on top and add a leaf.
First
For starters we have vegetable soup - light and tasty. After winter and before summer, the body needs unloading.
- Take the leek and cut it. Leaves in stripes, the white part in thin rings.
- Cut two washed and peeled into slices. Three potatoes - slices.
- Pour 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil into a saucepan and fry the onion rings in it.
- Add carrots to them and simmer for another 3 minutes in oil, stirring constantly.
- Now you can add the potatoes and fry them for 5 minutes.
- Pour one and a half liters of vegetable broth (you can use chicken broth if you want a rich soup) into a saucepan. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes.
- Wash 300-350 grams of Brussels sprouts and place in a saucepan. Add spices.
- After 5-7 minutes turn off the soup.
If desired, add chopped greens and green onion strips to the soup, season with sour cream or natural yogurt and serve.
Second
For the second course we will serve the most delicate casserole.
- Boil one chicken breast.
- Boil 200-250 grams of Brussels sprouts.
- While the cabbage is cooking, chop 2 onions into rings or half rings and fry them in vegetable oil.
- Transfer the finished cabbage to the onion and fry vigorously for another 5 minutes.
- Cut the breast into cubes and simmer in a frying pan with cabbage for 8-10 minutes. Salt and pepper everything to taste.
- Place the semi-finished product from the frying pan into a baking dish. Flatten, season with aromatic herbs, pour a glass of cream, sprinkle with cheese and place in a preheated oven (190 degrees).
In 20 minutes the casserole will be ready.
For dessert we serve fruit: orange or fruit salad.
Brussels sprouts. Growing and care
It’s not enough for us to have tomatoes and potatoes in our gardens; we want to grow something like that, experiment, feel like “Michurins”. So who's stopping?
For those who appreciate how good Brussels sprouts are, growing them on your own plot will not be difficult - anyone walking can handle the road.
Brussels sprouts prefer soil that is fertile and rich in calcium. Therefore, before hibernation, it is worth fertilizing the area allocated for vegetables with ash or lime.
If there are no ready-made seedlings, you need to make them. If you sow seeds in cups of soil in April (if you have a greenhouse or greenhouse, you can do this there), then by May the seedlings should already appear. From mid-May until the first days of June, cabbage can be planted in the garden. The sprouts should be planted at a distance of at least 65-75 cm so that the upper leaves do not interfere with each other. There is no need to make a hill near the sprout, since the heads of cabbage will grow directly from the base of the stem.
The plant has not yet reached 25 cm in height, but the first heads of cabbage have already appeared under the upper leaves. And while the cabbage grows, small heads of cabbage also grow on the stem.
Heads of cabbage are collected as they ripen. The bottom rows ripen first. Medium-sized heads of cabbage are collected, very large specimens are bitter and no heat treatment can get rid of this.
Brussels sprouts love to drink. Therefore, it needs to be watered regularly, especially in dry summers. Although it is cunning, the root system is powerful and can survive on groundwater for some time. But this is a last resort.
Ripe heads of cabbage can be frozen. They can be stored in the refrigerator in a bag for a month, two or more.
For the winter, cabbage is dug up with roots (if not all heads of cabbage have been collected) and stored in the basement at above-zero temperatures or in greenhouses in boxes, sprinkled with moist soil.
Do you know?
Brussels sprouts are so popular in Belgium that only crystal sprouts are given as a prize to the creators of the most interesting and educational popular science programs.
I wonder if our crystals are also a prize for any achievements? Although rather for anti-achievement...
Brussels sprouts are a type of cabbage that is exotic for our country and very popular in Europe. This miniature vegetable is very useful at any age and even begins to benefit children who are still in the womb.
Description of Brussels sproutss:
Brussels sprouts were bred by Belgian vegetable growers from kale. This cabbage is very similar to regular cabbage, only much smaller in size (about the size of a quail egg). The sweet and nutty flavor of Brussels sprouts is unlike other types of cabbage.
Ingredients of Brussels sprouts:
The composition of Brussels sprouts is rich in substances beneficial to humans. It contains , C and group B. It is very rich in folic acid (vitamin B9). Brussels sprouts also contain phosphorus, enzymes, sugars, amino acids and other beneficial substances.
Calories in Brussels sprouts:
The calorie content of Brussels sprouts is about 40 kcal.
Useful properties of Brussels sprouts:
- Brussels sprouts help strengthen the immune system, increase the body's protective functions, and have anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Brussels sprouts help cope with bronchopulmonary diseases.
- Brussels sprouts reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Helps fight hypertension and arrhythmia. Helps strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve blood composition.
- Experts recommend including Brussels sprouts in the diet of people with diabetes.
- Brussels sprouts are useful for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the digestive system. Helps relieve constipation.
- Frequent consumption of Brussels sprouts significantly reduces the risk of cancer.
- Brussels sprouts have a wound-healing effect, so they are recommended for people who have undergone surgery.
- Brussels sprouts have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the endocrine and nervous systems.
- Brussels sprouts are recommended for pregnant women as they contain large amounts of folic acid, which significantly reduces the risk of birth defects in children.
- Experts recommend including Brussels sprouts in children and the elderly.
- Brussels sprouts are a good helper in the fight against excess weight.
Brussels sprouts contraindications:
People with high stomach acidity or gout should take Brussels sprouts with caution.
Eating and using Brussels sprouts:
Brussels sprouts can be steamed, boiled, baked, fried, prepared in salads, soups and other dishes. Dishes made from Brussels sprouts will decorate both everyday and holiday tables.
Eat Brussels sprouts and others with pleasure. And remember that a healthy lifestyle consists not only of proper nutrition, but also of physical activity and other components.
In contact with
Classmates
- a type of kale, bred artificially. Like any vegetable crop, it is necessary for the body, but has some contraindications.
A small head of Brussels sprouts is a storehouse of vitamins and minerals: vitamins C, B1, B2, B6 and PP, sodium, potassium, carotene, folic acid, iron, iodine, vegetable protein, etc. Thanks to such a high concentration of amino acids, minerals and vitamins, Brussels sprouts Cabbage is an essential component of many healthy diets.
Firstly, the benefit of Brussels sprouts lies in the high content of vitamin C, the main protector of the body during epidemics of influenza and colds. It strengthens the immune system, increases the body's resistance, relieves stress and fatigue. In terms of vitamin C content, Brussels sprouts are not inferior to black currants.
Due to their high antioxidant content, including Brussels sprouts in your diet will reduce your risk of cancer.
There is no doubt about the benefits of Brussels sprouts for people suffering from vegetative-vascular dystonia, heart and vascular diseases. Calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium have a positive effect on the functioning of the heart muscle, also strengthening the walls of blood vessels. Due to its high potassium content, cabbage is valuable in the diet of patients with arrhythmia and hypertension.
Their richness in vitamins and minerals makes Brussels sprouts a staple dish during the recovery period after surgery or illness. One of its most significant advantages is its ability to stimulate wound healing.
For those who are concerned about excess weight, as well as for patients with diabetes, the primary benefit of Brussels sprouts is their high percentage of fiber and low carbohydrate content. Doctors recommend it as a main dish in the diet menu.
Calcium strengthens bone and muscle tissue, so the benefits of Brussels sprouts are undeniable for baby food and for nutrition in old age.
Riboflamin (B2), carotene are “beauty vitamins,” and iron and iodine are “mind and good memory.” Crude protein, vitamin B, and riboflamin also supply the body with energy, speeding up metabolic processes and helping in the digestion of food.
Harm Brussels sprouts is not so great compared to the benefits it brings.
- Firstly, it is worth noting the harm of Brussels sprouts for people with high stomach acidity or exacerbations of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Secondly, patients with acute enterocolitis and intestinal spasms should also refrain from including it in their diet.
- Thirdly, the harm of Brussels sprouts, like any other type of cabbage, is undeniable for people with weakened intestinal motility.
Having figured out the benefits and harms of Brussels sprouts, you can safely include them as a main dish in your diet, not forgetting about the contraindications.
