Basil vs. Broccoli

Nutrition comparison of Basil and Broccoli


Ever wonder how your favorite foods stack up against each other in terms of nutrition?

We compared the nutritional contents of basil versus broccoli (100g each) below using 2020 USDA and NIH data[1].

For a quick recap of significant nutrients and differences in basil and broccoli:

  • Both broccoli and basil are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, calcium and potassium.
  • Basil has more beta-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin than broccoli, however, broccoli contains more alpha-carotene than basil.
  • Basil is an excellent source of Vitamin A and iron.
  • Broccoli has more pantothenic acid.
  • Broccoli is a great source of dietary fiber.
Detailed nutritional comparison of basil and broccoli is analyzed below. You can also visualize the nutritional comparison for a custom portion or serving size and see how the nutrition compares.

USDA sources for nutritional information: Basil (Basil, fresh) and Broccoli (Broccoli, raw) . Have a correction or suggestions? Shoot us an email.


Image of Basil src
Image of Broccoli src

Calories and Carbs

calories

Broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of calories - broccoli has 34 calories per 100 grams and basil has 23 calories.

For macronutrient ratios, basil is heavier in protein, much lighter in carbs and heavier in fat compared to broccoli per calorie. Basil has a macronutrient ratio of 44:37:19 and for broccoli, 27:64:9 for protein, carbohydrates and fat from calories.

Macro Ratios from Calories:

Basil Broccoli
Protein 44% 27%
Carbohydrates 37% 64%
Fat 19% 9%
Alcohol ~ ~

carbohydrates

Broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of carbs - broccoli has 6.6g of total carbs per 100 grams and basil has 2.7g of carbohydrates.

dietary fiber

Broccoli is a great source of dietary fiber and it has 63% more dietary fiber than basil - broccoli has 2.6g of dietary fiber per 100 grams and basil has 1.6g of dietary fiber.

sugar

Broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of sugar - broccoli has 1.7g of sugar per 100 grams and basil has 0.3g of sugar.

Protein

protein

Broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of protein - broccoli has 2.8g of protein per 100 grams and basil has 3.2g of protein.

Fat

saturated fat

Both broccoli and basil are low in saturated fat - broccoli has 0.11g of saturated fat per 100 grams and basil has 0.04g of saturated fat.

Vitamins

Vitamin C

Both broccoli and basil are high in Vitamin C. Broccoli has 396% more Vitamin C than basil - broccoli has 89.2mg of Vitamin C per 100 grams and basil has 18mg of Vitamin C.

Vitamin A

Basil is an excellent source of Vitamin A and it has 752% more Vitamin A than broccoli - broccoli has 31ug of Vitamin A per 100 grams and basil has 264ug of Vitamin A.

Vitamin E

Broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of Vitamin E - broccoli has 0.78mg of Vitamin E per 100 grams and basil has 0.8mg of Vitamin E.

Vitamin K

Both broccoli and basil are high in Vitamin K. Basil has 308% more Vitamin K than broccoli - broccoli has 101.6ug of Vitamin K per 100 grams and basil has 414.8ug of Vitamin K.

The B Vitamins

Broccoli has more pantothenic acid. Both basil and broccoli contain significant amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, Vitamin B6 and folate.

Basil Broccoli
Thiamin 0.034 MG 0.071 MG
Riboflavin 0.076 MG 0.117 MG
Niacin 0.902 MG 0.639 MG
Pantothenic acid 0.209 MG 0.573 MG
Vitamin B6 0.155 MG 0.175 MG
Folate 68 UG 63 UG

Minerals

calcium

Both broccoli and basil are high in calcium. Basil has 277% more calcium than broccoli - broccoli has 47mg of calcium per 100 grams and basil has 177mg of calcium.

iron

Basil is an excellent source of iron and it has 334% more iron than broccoli - broccoli has 0.73mg of iron per 100 grams and basil has 3.2mg of iron.

potassium

Both broccoli and basil are high in potassium. Broccoli has a little more potassium (7%) than basil by weight - broccoli has 316mg of potassium per 100 grams and basil has 295mg of potassium.

Antioxidants and Phytonutrients

carotenoids

Carotenoids are micronutrients commonly found in plants and some animal products. An example is beta-carotene, the notable carotenoid which is a popular source of Vitamin A.[4][5]

For specific types of carotenoids, basil has more beta-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin than broccoli per 100 grams, however, broccoli contains more alpha-carotene than basil per 100 grams.

Basil Broccoli
beta-carotene 3142 UG 361 UG
lutein + zeaxanthin 5650 UG 1403 UG
alpha-carotene ~ 25 UG

Omega-3 and Omega-6

omega 3s

For omega-3 fatty acids, basil has more alpha linoleic acid (ALA) than broccoli per 100 grams.

Basil Broccoli
alpha linoleic acid 0.316 G 0.0215 G
Total 0.316 G 0.0215 G

omega 6s

Comparing omega-6 fatty acids, both basil and broccoli contain significant amounts of linoleic acid.

Basil Broccoli
linoleic acid 0.073 G 0.049 G
other omega 6 ~ 0.006 G
Total 0.073 G 0.055 G



Customize your serving size


The comparison below is by weight, but sometimes 100g isn't that intuitive of a measurement for food. View a custom portion comparison (e.g. cups, oz, package).

You can try adding or subtracting the amount of either Basil or Broccoli .

Note: The specific food items compared are: Basil (Basil, fresh) and Broccoli (Broccoli, raw) .

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FAQ

Does broccoli or basil contain more calories in 100 grams?
Broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of calories - broccoli has 34 calories in 100g and basil has 23 calories.

Is broccoli or basil better for protein?
Broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of protein - broccoli has 2.8g of protein per 100 grams and basil has 3.2g of protein.

Does broccoli or basil have more carbohydrates?
By weight, broccoli and basil contain similar amounts of carbs - broccoli has 6.6g of carbs for 100g and basil has 2.7g of carbohydrates.

Does broccoli or basil contain more calcium?
Both broccoli and basil are high in calcium. Basil has 280% more calcium than broccoli - broccoli has 47mg of calcium in 100 grams and basil has 177mg of calcium.

Does broccoli or basil contain more iron?
Basil is an abundant source of iron and it has 330% more iron than broccoli - broccoli has 0.73mg of iron in 100 grams and basil has 3.2mg of iron.

Does broccoli or basil contain more potassium?
Both broccoli and basil are high in potassium. Broccoli has a little more potassium ( 10%) than basil by weight - broccoli has 316mg of potassium in 100 grams and basil has 295mg of potassium.