Eat Your Broccoli! Study Says Broccoli May Help Fight Diabetes

Eating broccoli not only wards off cancerdefine but now a new study found that a compound, sulforaphane, found in vegetable can actually help fight diabetes by reversing the damage caused by the disease to heart blood vessels.

Coming from a plant of the Cabbage family, Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae), Broccoli contains a compound, called as sulforaphane (hailed for its chemopreventive powers against cancerdefine) boost the production of enzymes which protect the blood vessels. Also, the compound causes a reduction in high levels of molecules which cause significant cell damage.

A previous study found that eating broccoli sprouts may cut the risk of stroke, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, according to the 2004 edition of Time.

The British researchers say that diabetic people are up to 5 times more likely to develop heart diseases, including stroke and heart attacks -- which are both related to damaged blood vessels.

Lead author of the study, Professor Paul Thornalley said, "Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vasculardefine disease in diabetes.”

"In future, it will be important to test if eating a diet rich in brassica vegetables has health benefits for diabetic patients. We expect that it will, “he added.

The team of researchers from the University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom looked at the effects of sulforaphane on the blood vessel cells, damaged by hyperglycaemia –- increased glucose levels -- which are associated with diabetes.

The researchers found that there was a 73 percent reduction of molecules in the body called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Hyperglycaemia can cause levels of ROS to increase three times and such increased levels can damage human cells.

The study, which appears in the journal Diabetes found that the key compound, sulforaphane also switch on a protein in the body called Nrf2, which protects cells and tissues from damage by activating protective antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.

While, Director of research, Dr Iain Frame, at the charity Diabetes UK urged that the study which was carried out in controlled conditions in laboratory and hence was a long way from the real life situation.

Meanwhile he added, "It is encouraging to see that Professor Thornalley and his team have identified a potentially important substance that may protect and repair blood vessels from the damaging effects of diabetes. It also may help add some scientific weight to the argument that eating broccoli is good for you."

Last month a 79 year old, Brit man kicked off bladderdefine cancer by drinking half a tumbler of broccoli juice daily for last five years after he was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2003.

Broccoli has been around for more than 2000 years. The word, “broccoli" was derived from the Latin word brachium, which means "branch” or "arm."

A recent study conducted by UCLA researchers found that sulforaphane in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may hold a key to restoring the body’s immunity, which declines as part of the aging process.

In year 2007, researchers from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore found that sulforaphane demonstrated new skills in treating a genetic skin blistering disorder called epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS).

Various studies showed that eating broccoli could reduce the risk of developing prostate cancerdefine by as much as 40%.

Both tomatoes and broccoli are very much known for their cancer fighting qualities and if both are included in the daily diet than they are better at shrinking prostate tumors than, when they're eaten alone. On the other hand, Broccoli when eaten alone protects against bladder cancer. Broccoli, along with spinach, help to minimize risk for cataracts.

One must go for 2 fruits and 5 vegetables daily. Eat less of fatty processed red meats, highly processed foods that are low in fibre and heavily salted and pickled foods.

Eat more of vegetables, especially raw vegetables or salads, tomatoes, carrots, citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, bok choy).