As broccoli helps you lose weight, it also provides health benefits such as lowering cholesterol, boosting your heart health and lowering your risk of cancer. A study by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine indicated that eating broccoli provides you with antioxidants, which help lower your risk of chronic inflammation and cancer. The fiber helps your body excrete bile acids, which helps lower your cholesterol, according to the World's Healthiest. This, along with the omega-3 fatty acids in broccoli, also lowers your risk of heart disease.