11 Health Benefits of Brussels Sprouts
Updated: Jul. 23, 2023
From glowing skin to better gut health, the health benefits of Brussels sprouts make this vegetable worth eating.
Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease
This quintessential fall side dish is so much more than an excuse to eat more bacon. Brussels sprouts are loaded with healthy nutrients like vitamin C. Studies have linked a diet rich in vitamin C from fruits and vegetables to a lower risk for chronic cardiovascular disease.
Pack Antioxidants
Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants, compounds that contribute to healthier cells and a lower risk of cancer. Try chopping fresh Brussels sprouts for a salad or roasting them with garlic and a savory mustard sauce for an easy and delicious weeknight side dish.
Provide Plant-Based Protein
One cup of Brussels sprouts provides 4 grams of healthy, plant-based protein. This is especially helpful if you follow a vegan or vegetarian meal plan and need more sources of natural protein in your diet. Try roasting Brussels sprouts in olive oil or adding interesting flavors like pomegranate and hazelnut.
Strengthen Your Bones
Brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin K, which may improve your bone strength and prevent injuries. A 2017 study found that eating a diet rich in vitamin K everyday was associated with a lower risk of fractures. Give your bones a dose of vitamin K and calcium with these delicious Brussels sprouts au gratin. Your taste buds will thank you, too!
Improve Gut Health
These tasty little veggies are packed with fiber, which can improve your gut health in several different ways. From preventing constipation to lowering your risk of colorectal cancer, a diet rich in fiber is essential for a healthy gut and body.
Reduce Inflammation
Eating a well-balanced diet full of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts can reduce unwanted inflammation in your body. Over time, inflammation can lead to chronic disease, so giving your cells a hit of healthy veggies, like in this roasted green vegetable medley, can help protect them.
Help Prevent Birth Defects
If you’re planning on growing your family, it’s time to add some Brussels sprouts recipes to your diet. Brussels sprouts are a natural source of folate, an essential nutrient for preventing certain birth defects. In addition to taking prenatal vitamins, eating foods with folate can help to prevent defects in your baby’s brain and spine.
Support Eye Health
Like carrots and sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts are rich in carotenoids, nutrients that can be converted to vitamin A in your body. Eating foods with carotenoids is associated with improved eye health and preventing eye damage caused by blue light (looking at you, phone screen.)
Control Diabetes
Lower your risk for diabetes when you start cooking with cruciferous vegetables every day. A 2016 study found that people who regularly eat those crunchy veggies have a significantly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Add roasted Brussels sprouts as a side dish or make it the main event with flavorful ginger halibut.
Make Skin Glow
Say buh-bye to tired, dull-looking skin when you start adding Brussels sprouts into your diet. Because it’s full of vitamin C, this yummy veggie contributes to collagen production, keeping your skin firm and glowing. Spice up your next meal time with shredded ginger Brussels sprouts for that youthful glow.
Supply Healthy Fats
If you’re not a fish fan, you may have a challenging time getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Fortunately, Brussels sprouts are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is converted to omega-3’s in your body. These nutrients have been proven to improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and prevent heart disease.
