Eating too much broccoli can be bad for your health. Here’s why

You might be ecstatic to stuff your refrigerator with the oh-so healthy broccoli, but too much of it can cause you more harm than good.
Broccoli is healthy
Broccoli and green veggies are evergreen superfoods! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Nikita Bhardwaj Updated: 30 Oct 2023, 16:26 pm IST
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If you love gorging on salads, then in all probability, you might end up putting broccoli in it. And why not, it is loaded with a host of nutrients. But, what if we tell you that your beloved broccoli could be causing you more harm than good, especially if you’re consuming it on a daily basis. 

Yes ladies, broccoli has some serious side-effects. Read on to know more.

Here’s how your so-called healthy broccoli is cheating on you
Sadly, broccoli impacts the functioning of your thyroid gland, because it is goitrogen in nature. They are those chemicals which suppress the functioning of the thyroid gland. This chemical interferes with iodine in your body, due to which your thyroid gland enlarges and leads to goitre.

Broccoli also has thiocyanates. This compound is very dangerous because it leads to hyperthyroidism, and due to which, you experience problems like weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and a bloated face”, informs dietician and clinical nutritionist, Anshika Srivastava.

Broccoli nutrition
Cruciferous veggies like broccoli can be a blessing as well as bane for your heart. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Moreover, broccoli belongs to the cruciferous family, just like kale and cabbage, and leads to gastric issues as well as bloating in some people. 

“Another reason that one must avoid eating too much broccoli is that it can give you issues with your bowel movement. Broccoli is rich in fibre which is good when eaten in moderation, but if you eat too much fibre, then your body doesn’t make as many enzymes to digest it, and hence you experience bowel irritation”, she explains.

Srivastava adds, “There are also some other side effects of broccoli. If it is not cooked properly, it increases the isoflavones present in it, due to which chances of an ischemic stroke increases, especially in women. Although it is rare and more research is needed on this topic, we can’t deny its possibility.”

Broccoli nutrition
Cook that broccoli floret properly. Image courtesy: TCK by The China Kitchen

There’s also a study that attests that too much broccoli is bad for your health
According to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, people taking blood-thinning medications should keep a tab on their broccoli intake. As per the study, broccoli contains vitamin K, and that could have an impact on the effectiveness of your medicine.

You see how this superfood can be a super flop, if not eaten in moderation. So, now if someone tells you to go on a broccoli-rich diet, then don’t hesitate in shutting that person down! After all, it is more toxic than you ever knew!

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About the Author

Six-pack abs are all that Nikita needs, along with her daily dose of green tea. At Health Shots, she produces videos, podcasts, stories, and other kick-ass content. ...Read More

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