Mushrooms – White Button
Kiwifruit Gold
Kiwifruit Green
Broccoli
Carrots Juice Grade
Carrots Table Grade
Cucumber – Telegraph
Beetroot – New-Season
Capsicums – Red
Ginger Fresh – Non Organic- Thailand
Turmeric – Fijian
Potatoes – Agria
Kumara – Beauregard
Salads
New in Store!
Organic Premium Cacao butter drops 
Organic Premium ceremonial cacao paste drops 
Bulk organic activated yellow maca powder 
Spotlight on Broccoli
Broccoli has a variety of health benefits, including its ability to improve digestion, lower cholesterol levels, and maximize vitamin and mineral uptake. It can also help prevent allergic reactions, boosts the immune system, protects the skin, aid in preventing birth defects, lowers blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and improves vision as well as ocular health.
Broccoli Nutrition
Broccoli is rich in dietary fiber and amino acids like tryptophan. According to the USDA FoodData Central, it also consists of vitamin A, beta-carotene, lutein zeaxanthin, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid. It also contains essential vitamins such as vitamin B6, folate (vitamin B9), vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B1, and vitamin K. Additionally, it contains important minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and phosphorus.
In terms of unique organic compounds, it is a rich source of phytonutrient glucosinolates, isothiocyanate, flavonoids like kaempferol, and various other antioxidant compounds that positively boost our health!
Aids in Digestion
Research on broccoli published in the Journal of Functional Foods revealed the results of an animal study conducted to check if broccoli is helpful in maintaining gut health. As part of the study, a group of mice was administered the green vegetable as part of their regular diet and it was seen that they were better able to tolerate their digestive issues such as colitis and leaky gut in comparison to those that were not given the green vegetable. It was thus concluded that the fiber content played a vital role in regulating digestion. Along with kaempferol, fiber also tends to keep the stomach lining healthy and helps maintain healthy bacteria levels in the intestines.
Prevents Chronic Diseases
Broccoli contains certain phenolic compounds that help keep chronic diseases at bay. This lowers your chances of developing diabetes, asthma, heart disorders, and many other lethal diseases, thereby, decreasing mortality. Broccoli is most effective when consumed with other healthy, disease-preventing foods that are not processed.
Liver Health
A 2016 report published in the Journal of Nutrition revealed that broccoli can help to keep your liver functioning at its optimal level by lessening the development of fatty liver.
Boosts Brain Health
Broccoli helps boost cognition and memory because it is rich in vitamin K and choline. In addition to this, sulforaphane can also help aid in preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s and many neurodegenerative diseases.
Hair Care
Nutrients, found in broccoli, like vitamins A and C are great for keeping your hair shiny, thick, and healthy. These vitamins also counter dry hair by regulating sebum production on the scalp to naturally moisturize hair. This leads to less brittle and fragile hair and reduces hair loss.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
A 2014 study published in the Preventive Nutrition and Food Science Journal suggests that broccoli florets have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It has antioxidants like vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, sulforaphane, kaempferol, and many others, which makes this cruciferous vegetable good for relieving inflammation.
Anti-aging Properties
Broccoli combats the aging process with the help of a compound called nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) present in it. NMN promotes the production of a compound that triggers metabolism and hence prevents genetic changes that lead to premature aging. Antioxidants like vitamin A, vitamin C, and collagen also play a key role in delaying aging.
Controls Diabetes
A 2012 study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, suggests that broccoli sprouts may improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients. To elaborate, it suggests that sulforaphane and kaempferol in this cruciferous food might have the ability to lower blood sugar levels in those who have Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus diabetics, thereby helping control it. Broccoli in addition to a heart-healthy, carbohydrate-controlled diet is always encouraged for the best results when it comes to blood glucose control.
Improves Metabolism
Nutrients such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin K, folate, and vitamin A in broccoli assist in boosting the body’s metabolism. Fiber, especially, shows a TEF (thermic effect of food) and can increase your metabolic rate after eating. It also promotes satiety by having a good amount of dietary fiber.
Improves Sexual Libido
Broccoli can boost blood circulation to the organs of the body and help in improving libido. It contains folate and vitamin C, which can improve fertility.
Detoxifies the Body
The presence of vitamin C, sulfur, and amino acids make broccoli a good detoxifier. It helps remove free radicals and toxins like uric acid from the body, thereby purifying the blood and keeping away toxin-related problems such as boils, itches, rashes, gout, arthritis, rheumatism, renal calculi, skin diseases like eczema, and hardening of the skin. It is also an alkaline vegetable and can help balance the body’s pH levels.
Skin Care
Broccoli aids in skincare and gives you a glowing, healthy, and radiant appearance. The antioxidants like beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, amino acids, and folate, present in it, do this magic.
Protects from UV Rays
Glucoraphanin, a phytonutrient found in significant amounts in broccoli, has been connected with reversing the negative effects of sun exposure.
Relief from Stomach Disorders
Broccoli is very rich in fiber or roughage, which helps relieve constipation since that is the root cause of almost all the stomach disorders. Fiber adds to the bulkiness of the food, retains water, and stimulates healthy bowel movements. The magnesium and vitamins present in it reduce acidity, facilitate proper digestion, and aid in the absorption of nutrients from the other foods. It might also soothe the stomach by reducing inflammation. It is recommended that those who suffer from Irritable Bowel Disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis) as well as diverticulitis, avoid roughage as this can cause flare-ups.
Prevents Heart Disease
Along with the antioxidant glucoraphanin, the high-fiber content in broccoli helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol levels and keep the heart functioning properly. Also, reducing bile has a strong impact on cholesterol levels, thereby helping your heart health. Studies have shown that the fiber combines better with bile, making it much easier and efficient to excrete. Kaempferol is a flavonoid that also aids in keeping the heart healthy owing to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Eye Care
Carotenoids like zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, and phosphorus, and other vitamins such as vitamin A, B complex, C, and E found in broccoli are very good for ocular health. These substances protect eyes against macular degeneration and cataracts, while also repairing the damage caused by radiation.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
A Harvard Medical research paper suggests that broccoli is rich in beta-carotene, which when consumed causes nearly a 25 percent less risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Plus, it contains omega 3 fatty acids, which also helps in preventing ALS. Recent research suggests that intake of diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce or delay the onset of Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Boosts Immunity
Broccoli derives its purple and green color from antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene, selenium, copper, choline zinc, and phosphorus. These compounds present are really great immune system boosters and they can protect you from numerous infections. In addition to eating a balanced diet, it is encouraged to get adequate sleep and manage stress to see the best results.
Improves Bone and Teeth Health
Broccoli keeps the bones and teeth strong as it is rich in vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. Eating the vegetable can be very beneficial, particularly for children, elderly people, and/or pregnant or lactating women. Child and older adults are very prone to osteoporosis, weakening of bones and teeth, and calcium deficiency. Moreover, vitamin K is essential for the formation of osteocalcin, which is a protein, only found in bones.
Helps Fetal Development During Pregnancy
Broccoli is full of nutrients essential for pregnant women. It contains proteins, calcium, vitamins, antioxidants, iron, and phosphorus. Being rich in fiber, it also eliminates constipation, which is very common during pregnancy. The folate content in these vegetables helps to ensure that there are no birth defects such as neural tube defects, which is a major problem for pregnant women who have a folic acid deficiency in their diet. It is still recommended that women take prenatal vitamins or take what is instructed by their OB/GYN.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Chromium, found abundantly in broccoli, helps to regulate blood pressure. Also, the nutritious amount of potassium in broccoli can act as a vasodilator. More specifically, potassium helps improve blood flow and oxygenation of essential organs by relaxing tension and stress of veins and blood vessels. Magnesium and calcium also aid in regulating blood pressure and can help keep the heart protected from cardiovascular diseases like strokes or heart attacks.
Fights Anemia
The vegetable is rich in iron and protein and hence, forms an excellent remedy against anemia. Copper is also another essential mineral in the production of red blood cells, along with iron. So include this green vegetable in your diet and help prevent iron-deficiency anemia.
What’s happening in the garden
Lots of seedlings being grown and planted out. The garden beds are looking fantastic! We have an abundance of beautiful salads at the moment.
seedlings are still available in the shop for purchase – a tray of 6 for just $5
Events ahead:
- Saturday Market – The Old Packhouse Market Kerikeri (Every Saturday) from 8am ~ fresh orange juice, fresh vege juice blends, smoothies, smoothie ice blocks
- Sunday Market – The Old Packhouse Market Kerikeri (Every Sunday) from 8am ~ fresh orange juice, fresh vege juice blends, smoothies, smoothie ice block