If your mom ever told you to eat your broccoli, she was onto something. While all vegetables contain healthful nutrients, cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, turnip, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and kale provide three of the most important plant compounds for human health. These plant compounds (phytochemicals) have been extensively researched with thousands of publications describing there efficacy in the prevention and treatment of cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders and various other diseased states. They also slow down the aging process by protecting cells and DNA from damage, fighting inflammation and helping cells repair themselves.