Stop, Drop, and Cook That Broccoli: Why Eating Raw Broccoli Can Eff With Your Hormones

Broccoli is a staple in this house. Thank God Mila is a fan or I’d be up the creek. It goes with just about everything, can be cooked and eaten in so many ways, and if fresh, is so delicious. We received back-to-back bunches from our weekly CSA share from The Silverbrook Farm so a homage to this amazing veggie seemed to write itself. 

Let’s first talk about why broccoli is so good for you:

• One cup contains the entire RDA of immune-boosting and free-radical fighting Vitamin C.

• Good source of glucoraphanin, a compound that aids in cancer protection as well as sun damage and supporting skin detox and repair.

• High in fiber, aiding in digestion, weight management, blood sugar balance, regularity, and appetite control.

What’s not to love, right?

Well, here’s the thing about broccoli. It’s one of those vegetables that is truly best eaten cooked. I know, the raw foodists will be up in arms for this statement, but it has merit. 

Here’s why…

Broccoli is part of the crucifer family. Other crucifers include cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collards, chard, Brussels sprouts, radishes, bok choy, watercress, among others. Check out a more complete list here. The problem with crucifers, while they are very nutritious, eating them raw can have thyroid-suppressing effects. Known medically as goitrogens, the thyroid-blocking hormones in raw crucifers can have an impact on your health, particularly if you already have low thyroid function, are pregnant or nursing, or have low iodine levels.

Before you say:

“meh – my thyroid is perfectly fine – bring on the raw crucifers!”

…low thyroid hormone levels are one of the most under diagnosed conditions because the blood tests have been known to be unreliable. Some of the conditions linked to hypothyroidism include indigestion, acne, allergies, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, cancer, canker sores, cellulitis, diabetes, eczema, emphysema, gallstones, gout, hives, hypoglycemia, infertility, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, lupus, depression, menstrual irregularities, migraines, miscarriages, obesity, panic attacks, premature aging, premenstrual syndrome, psoriasis, respiratory infections, rheumatism, sexual dysfunction, and urinary tract infections.

Even crazier?

It can be reversed with food. Yes, you read that right. Food is medicine. Limiting processed food, sugar, trans-fats, and raw crucifers is a first start. I can help you with that {*shameless plug alert*}.

Past, present, and future mamas take note. According to Chris Masterjohn:

“Cruciferous goitrogens also inhibit the transfer of iodine into milk by the mammary gland. The goitrogens themselves cross the placenta into the fetal bloodstream during pregnancy and pass into the maternal milk during lactation.”

Why is this a bad thing, you ask?

According to his research, high consumption of goitrogens…

“plays a role in the endemic cretinism that plagues the children of many third world populations.”

Cretinism?

Yikes. Read the complete article here.

Now, this is not intended to scare the s*** out of you from never eating another raw or semi-cooked crucifer or have visions of birthing a cretin baby, but rather inform you. I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t shed some light on the truth, right? Personally, my thyroid has tested on the low side in the past so for this reason, I limit my intake of raw kale smoothies, collard wraps, and yes, raw broccoli. The key word here is limit. Not completely eradicate. I believe in balance. Same with ice cream. And chocolate. But I digress.

Using this mantra, I threw caution to the wind, blanched my broccoli to reduce some ({not all} of the goitrogens, made this {semi-raw} Sweet ‘N Sour Broccoli Salad, and enjoyed it in moderation. It turned out pretty damn good.

See, I’m not that much of a vigilante. Who am I kidding? Yes I am.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy broccoli? I’d love to hear. Please leave a comment below.

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