How many calories are in broccoli and will it make you lose weight? Broccoli is very low in calories, and it possesses 35 calories per cup. The nutritional health facts of 1 cup of broccoli are:
- Calories- 35
- Protein- 2.3 grams
- Carbs- 5.6 grams
- Fiber- 2.2 grams
- Fat- 0.3 grams
- Vitamin C- 91% of the Daily Value
- Vitamin K- 77% of the Daily Value
- Folate- 15% of the Daily Value

How many calories are in broccoli and will it make you lose weight? iStock-photo credit: Anton Zacon
The reason broccoli is such a great weight loss food is because of the fiber content in it. The amount of fiber in broccoli will help you suppress your appetite and make you eat less food. The fiber in broccoli can help promote positive gut health.
It is also a low digestible carb, and this vegetable is high in antioxidants. And those antioxidants can help reduce the risk of a lot of chronic health diseases.
Some of the other vitamins and minerals that broccoli contain are Vitamin C, Vitamin K1, Vitamin B9, Potassium, Iron, Manganese, etc.
Vitamin C can help improve your immune system. Potassium is great for blood pressure control. Iron is great for helping with the transportation of oxygen in red blood cells. Folate is great for tissue growth and the formation of cell function.
An important compound which is an antioxidant that is in broccoli is kaempferol. This antioxidant has been shown to protect against heart disease, cancer, inflammation, allergies, etc. Another antioxidant which is quercetin that will help with lowering blood pressure with people that have elevated levels.
The two main carotenoids that are in broccoli are lutein and zeaxanthin. And this is associated with age related macular degeneration which is an eye disease that can potentially affect your eye vision.
Broccoli contains a beta carotene which your body converts to Vitamin A and if you’re low in this it can improve your eye sight.
The Bottom Line is broccoli is a great weight loss vegetable to eat because it is very low in calories and high in fiber. The fiber in broccoli makes you feel fuller and the result of this is eating less food. There are only 35 calories per cup in broccoli.
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References
- USDA- https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/2345151/nutrients
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- Mrowicka M, Mrowicki J, Kucharska E, Majsterek I. Lutein and Zeaxanthin and Their Roles in Age-Related Macular Degeneration-Neurodegenerative Disease. Nutrients. 2022 Feb 16;14(4):827. doi: 10.3390/nu14040827. PMID: 35215476; PMCID: PMC8874683.
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