Does Cooking Destroy the Phytochemicals in Broccoli & Cauliflower?

Phytochemicals are powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer compounds. Examples of phytochemicals found in broccoli and cauliflower are phenolic acids, carotenoids, sulphoraphane and glucosinolates, such as glucobrassicin and glucoraphanin. Your cooking method is very important in maximizing the availability of phytochemicals. The wrong cooking method will significantly diminish the phytochemical content of your vegetables.

Boiling

When you boil broccoli or cauliflower, you lose large amounts of phytochemicals, which leach out, or are released, into the boiling water in a short period of time. Studies published in the “Journal of Food Chemistry" in January 2004 and April 200 revealed that after only two minutes boiled broccoli florets lose at least 95 percent of their sulphoraphane content, 62 percent of their phenolic acid content, 23 percent of their glucobrassicin content and 17 percent of their glucoraphanin content. Phytochemicals also leach out from broccoli and cauliflower stems. These losses dramatically diminish the phytochemical intake and the health benefits of these vegetables.

Microwaving

Boiled Vegetables vs. Steamed

Learn More

The loss of phytochemicals in microwaving broccoli or cauliflower in water is similar to that for boiling. The high heat still causes nutrients to leach out into the water and diminishes nutrient content. After two minutes, microwaved broccoli florets lose at least 98 percent of their sulphoraphane content and 62 percent of their phenolic acid content. However, you do maintain glucobrassicin and glucoraphanin concentrations. So although microwaving destroys a large amount of phytochemicals, it is a better option than boiling. To lower phytochemical losses due to leaching, minimize the amount of water added to cook your vegetables. Also avoid the use of plastic containers in microwaving to prevent exposure to dangerous plasticizers.

Stir-Fry

If you stir-fry broccoli or cauliflower, the type of oil you use will determine the level of phytochemical loss after cooking. According to a January 2007 article in the “Journal of Food Science," refined olive oil and sunflower oil destroy 49 percent and 37 percent of broccoli glucosinolates after three and a half minutes, respectively 1. These oils, along with extra virgin olive, soybean and safflower oils, also significantly reduce phenolic acid content. However, peanut oil does not significantly alter either glucosinolate or phenolic acid content in this time frame. So to retain phytochemicals, use peanut oil to stir-fry your broccoli or cauliflower.

Steaming

What Peppers Are Good for Lowering Cholesterol?

Learn More

Steaming broccoli and cauliflower retains a significant amount of their phytochemicals. Although you lose small amounts of certain nutrients, these losses are not as dramatic as those found from boiling or microwaving. Steamed broccoli florets lose only about 35 percent of their sulphoraphane content. They also retain more of their phenolic acid and glucosinolate content than stir-fried broccoli in peanut oil. Therefore, steam your broccoli and cauliflower for two to four minutes to maximize their phytochemical content.