One of the veggies with the highest nutritional content is broccoli. Therefore, broccoli is a fantastic addition to any diet, including the one you serve your dog. And not simply because it can fight cancer (which you may be familiar with). There are numerous more benefits to choosing this cruciferous vegetable.
Is Broccoli Good For Dogs?
Adding broccoli to your dog’s food is a great idea. And, broccoli sprouts are even healthier. Due of its high nutritional value, broccoli is a fantastic option for your dog. Broccoli has less fat, less sugar, and more protein than other veggies. But these aren’t the genuine justifications for feeding vegetables to your dog.
Reasons Your Dog Should Eat Broccoli
Let’s get right to the facts of why your dog should eat broccoli and how to add them appropriately.
Broccoli Prevents Oxidative Stress
Oxidative stress is a significant contributor to chronic illness and cancer. When free radicals accumulate, oxidative stress occurs. Unstable molecules known as free radicals are a consequence of metabolism.
They are also a result of outside causes like pollution and passive smoking. These compounds are stabilized by antioxidants, which safeguard your dog’s cells. Free radicals will proliferate if your dog doesn’t consume enough antioxidants. His cells will be attacked, and the DNA, proteins, and cell membranes will be harmed which can lead to the following:
- Cancer
- Premature aging
- Heart disease
- Brain disorders
- Other chronic diseases
Due to the presence of two key substances, broccoli is a potent antioxidant. Vitamin C is the first. Free radicals are neutralized by the antioxidant vitamin C. It’s a great way to boost the immune system as well. Dogs may make their own vitamin C, but occasionally they require a supplement, particularly if they are ill, under stress, or older. You might want to rethink your belief that oranges are the best source of vitamin C. More vitamin C is found in one third of a pound of broccoli than in two and a half pounds of oranges.
Sulforaphane is broccoli’s second significant chemical; an indirect antioxidant. Unlike vitamin C, it doesn’t immediately bind to free radicals. Instead, it stimulates vital antioxidant-producing processes in your dog’s body. The nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (Nrf2) pathway is the system responsible for this process. Each cell in your dog contains the messenger Nrf2. When it notices cell damage, it emits an alarm (like that caused by free radicals). The body naturally makes additional antioxidant enzymes in response.
This keeps free radicals in balance to prevent:
- Oxidative stress
- Cancer
- Other chronic diseases
Broccoli to Fight Cancer
One of the numerous ways broccoli can help prevent cancer is by combating free radicals that harm your dog’s cells.
The sulforaphane found in broccoli also does the following:
- Decreases inflammation
- Removes carcinogens from the body
- Increases apoptosis
- Slows the spread of cancer
- Inhibits angiogenesis
This is as a result of sulforaphane’s inhibition of specific DNA transcription-related enzymes. especially methyltransferases and histone deacetylases (HDAC). Your dog’s body makes tumor suppressor genes when they are blocked. These genes aid in the regulation of tumor growth. They control cell death by regulating cell division, repairing errors in damaged DNA, and slowing cell division. This slows and prevents cancer.
Broccoli Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural process that helps your dog heal. But chronic inflammation can lead to diseases including:
Foods that reduce inflammation aid in immune system regulation. This lessens the likelihood of developing chronic inflammation and illness. Broccoli contains a variety of anti-inflammatory substances, including sulforaphane and vitamin C. Because it activates the Nrf2 pathways, sulforaphane is particularly significant.
In order to reduce inflammation, the enzymes that serve as antioxidants are essential. One of the few nutrients that can pass the blood-brain barrier is sulforaphane. This implies that it may enhance the brain’s natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses.
Bring the Gut Microbiome to Homeostasis
Trillions of microorganisms, both beneficial and dangerous, reside in your dog’s digestive system. Your dog’s microbiome is made up of this bacterial community as well as other microbes. By taking care of the bacteria that reside there, you can aid in maintaining the balance of your dog’s gut microbiome. Prebiotics are one method for achieving this.
Prebiotics are indigestible soluble fibers that reach the colon intact and are then digested by the bacteria in your dog’s colon. Following that, bacteria create substances that play a significant role in your dog’s immune system. This can:
- Slow the growth of harmful bacteria and balance the gut microbiome
- Maintain fluid balance
- Boost the immune system
- Reduce allergies or sensitivities to food
- Improve nutrient absorption
- Reduce inflammation
Helps Manage Leaky Gut in Your Dog
Dogs are increasingly suffering from leaky gut. A single layer of cells is all that stands between your dog’s intestines and the rest of his body. These cells cling to one another tightly. serve as a wall. The nutrients your dog needs to survive can pass through this barrier.
Additionally, it prevents dangerous bacteria and partially digested food from escaping the gut. The issue is that the intestines might occasionally aggravate. The connections between the cells enlarge as a result. Your dog’s intestines allows bacteria, yeast, allergens, and poisons to leak into his blood. This is known as leaky gut which can cause sickness and chronic inflammation throughout your dog’s entire body.
Improved Eye Health
Two significant carotenoids that support eye health can be found in broccoli. Plant pigments called carotenoids are. They are in charge of giving plants and other living things their characteristic red, yellow, and orange colors. They are abundant antioxidants, just like vitamin C and sulforaphane.
Beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are the three primary carotenoids found in broccoli. The same carotenoids can be found in kale.
The health of the eyes depends on vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency in dogs can result in a number of issues, including blindness. In your dog’s body, beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A. As a result, it plays a crucial role in your dog’s eye health.
Broccoli for Brain Health
Sulforaphane may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other brain problems, according to studies. This is as a result of sulforaphane’s promotion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). And this promotes the survival and development of neurons. Additionally, it enhances the way that the brain’s signaling pathways work. Sulforaphane is also promising as a potential therapy for severe brain injury.
Reduces Anxiety And Depression
Compounds in broccoli can alleviate depression and anxiety. Depression may result from inflammation. Sulforaphane helps control behavioral changes by reducing inflammation. Additionally, sulforaphane reduced anxiety responses in mice by acting as an antidepressant.
Your dog’s body releases stress chemicals when it is under stress or anxiety. Important resources like zinc, vitamin C, and B vitamins are depleted by these hormones. Your dog might benefit from an increase in nourishment if he appears more anxious than usual. These minerals are abundant in broccoli.
Broccoli Sprouts
The little green branches that grow out of the ground shortly after planting a broccoli seed are known as broccoli sprouts (about 3 days). Despite being small, they are nutrient-dense. Additionally, broccoli sprouts are more nutritious than a full-grown plant pound for pound. They contain more nutrients and vitamins. More sulforaphane, protein, digestive enzymes, antioxidants, and of course, more. Therefore, broccoli is a fantastic addition to your dog’s diet, but broccoli sprouts are even better.
How To Safely Feed Broccoli To Your Dog
Remember, vegetables shouldn’t be more than 10% of his diet (5% for sprouts). If your dog enjoys broccoli, adding it into their diet will be a simple process. If your dog prefers not to eat broccoli, but you are still considering it, you may want to look into powdered options.
Read more:
Oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer: how are they linked?
Sulforaphane Protects against Cardiovascular Disease via Nrf2 Activation
Sulforaphane is anticonvulsant and improves mitochondrial function
Sulforaphane produces antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in adult mice
Anticancer Activity of Sulforaphane: The Epigenetic Mechanisms and the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway
Sulforaphane epigenetically enhances neuronal BDNF expression and TrkB signaling pathways