Nuking Broccoli A No-No — Microwaving Zaps Antioxidants in Broccoli — By Jean Nick

?In the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Cristina Garcia-Viguera reports on a study that measured antioxidant levels in broccoli after it was cooked in various ways. Microwaved broccoli had the lowest levels of antioxidants (less than 5% of the original antioxidants found in fresh broccoli remained), probably because of the high internal temperatures generated by this cooking method. Boiling wasn't a good way to retain antioxidants either, with only about 20% of them preserved in the food (about 35% if the cooking water was used as well).

Pressure-cooking was slightly better, with about 46% being retained in the food (about 91% if the cooking water was used as well). Steaming retained about 89% of the antioxidants. Of course, you could just eat your broccoli raw and get the full dose.

Jean Nick is a Senior Information Analyst with the Rodale Library & Information Services Department.