Eating broccoli on a regular basis may help your immune system work optimally and keep illness at bay. These advantages are attributed to the carotenoids beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Carotenoids are antioxidants that assist to protect your body from potentially hazardous substances known as free radicals. Free radicals can be produced when you exercise or smoke cigarettes. They also can be generated by energy plants like corn and soy beans when they're processed into foods like bread and cookies. Other ways free radicals enter your body include through exposure to the sun's rays and even in contaminated water. Eating broccoli daily helps prevent these free radical-generating events. The other benefit of this green vegetable is that it contains fiber. Fiber is good for you because it helps control constipation and diarrhea, promotes healthy digestion, and alleviates heartburn. Broccoli is one of the only vegetables that contain significant amounts of fiber. Other good sources include wheat bran, peas, beans, apples, pears, carrots, cauliflower, potatoes, citrus fruits, and berries. Fruit is great, but don't eat it alone - add some veggies to your plate! Last, but not least, broccoli is rich in vitamin K, calcium, and iron. Vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting and preventing bone loss. Iron is needed by red blood cells for oxygen transportation, while calcium builds strong bones and teeth.