Sulforaphane

Sulforaphane is a phytochemical that belongs to the family of isothiocyanates. It is commonly found in cruciferous plants and is bound in sugar molecules; in this form, it is called sulforaphane glucosinolate, and sulforaphane is only released from its sugar molecule after digestion. The richest sources of sulforaphane are kale, cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. In recent studies, researchers are continuously looking at the benefits of sulforaphane found in broccoli in fighting certain types of cancer.

Most antioxidants found in natural sources work by protecting the cells from the harmful effects of oxidation. Sulforaphane stimulates the body's natural detoxifying enzymes which can help in reducing the risk of prostate and breast cancer. Epidemiological studies have found that people who are eating more cruciferous vegetables in a day have lower risk of developing cancer. Laboratory animals fed with sulforaphane were observed to have reduced frequency, number and size of cancer tumors. Sulforaphane neutralizes carcinogens even before they can damage the body's DNA; thus, making it a potential source for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Broccoli against Cancer

A study conducted by a group of researchers from the University of Illinois found that the combination of broccoli sprout and broccoli powder can improve the body's absorption of cancer-fighting sulforaphane in the body. The studies on the potential health benefits of broccoli have led to the production of different food supplement brands in the market. Lead researchers Elizabeth Jeffery and Jenna Cramer from the University Of Illinois Department Of Food Science said that available broccoli food supplements contain glucoraphanin but lack the enzyme called myrosinase; this compound is responsible for the catalysis of sulforaphane from glucoraphanin.  Despite the high content of glucoraphanin of most broccoli food supplements, their efficacy in preventing cancer is questionable without myrosinase.

The researchers combined dried broccoli sprouts that are rich in myrosinase and broccoli powder in order to enhance the absorption of sulforaphane in the body. Cramer and Jeffery said that their study was first to investigate the efficacy of commercially produced broccoli food supplements, which only contains glucoraphanin, when combined with broccoli preparation containing myrosinase. The study was published in the Nutrition and Cancer journal.

In their study, the researchers used four subjects who were asked to eat four yogurt meals and dry cereal supplemented with 2 grams of broccoli power and 2 grams of broccoli sprouts, with a combination of both or neither. The broccoli products were provided by a private company Caudill See Incorporated which was also responsible for funding the study.

The results showed that the sulforaphane levels in study participants' urine samples varied accordingly: 19 percent for broccoli powder, 74 percent for the dried broccoli sprouts and 49 percent for a combination of both. The combination of broccoli sprouts and powder was found to speed up the absorption and excretion of sulforaphane for a period of six hours. The authors wrote for Nutrition and Cancer saying that the date from the combination got their interest since it did not only indicate a faster rate of absorption of sulforaphane but it also ensured that more of the sulforaphane from glucoraphanin is being transported into the body.

Other Health Benefits of Broccoli

Broccoli has earned its reputation as one of the most nutritious vegetable with its numerous health benefits. It is rich in nutrients and numerous studies show that broccoli has a strong potential in preventing diseases, including cancer. Broccoli is also easy to find and any produce section won't be without a heap of broccoli waiting to be whipped into something savory and delicious.

The high vitamin C content of broccoli helps in the absorption of iron in the body and prevents in the development of cataracts and alleviates the symptoms of common colds and flu. Broccoli is also a rich source of folic acid that helps maintain the normal tissue growth in women. It is also rich in potassium that helps people with high blood pressure.  Furthermore, its calcium content helps to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis.

More than 300 different studies have been conducted on broccoli – studies that have dedicated, time, money and effort in discovering the health benefits of the vegetable. And it has been found to be effective in promoting better health and in preventing certain cancers by fighting three main health problems: insufficient detoxification; oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. And years of cancer studies have found that these three health problems are strongly linked to the development of the dreaded disease.

The body's natural response to health threats is to produce inflammatory components to help the body cope with the damage. The body benefits from this response on a short-term basis but this may become harmful to the health if the process runs at a constant, long-term pace. One of the health risks of the continuous production of inflammatory compounds is the development of cancer.

Studies have found a certain natural compound that suppresses the body's production of inflammatory substances. One of the strongest anti-inflammatory substances found in nature are isothiocyanates from glucosinolates in broccoli. The vegetable is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids that produce anti-inflammatory molecules. It may sound hard to believe that this green vegetable can be a source of essential fats, but approximately 2 cups of broccoli contains around 450 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids.

In the group of cruciferous vegetables, broccoli is the richest source of vitamin C. Broccoli is also a rich source of flavonoids and carotenoids. The combination of these three antioxidants optimizes the person's natural defense against cancer. These compounds have been found by different studies to lower the risk of developing cancer and by supporting oxygen metabolism and preventing the overproduction of over-reactive oxygen molecules that leads to oxidative damage. In terms of detoxification, broccoli brings and results to the production of certain substances in the body that helps in the process of flushing out harmful and toxic materials from the body. It also helps promote liver health, the organ responsible for maintaining a clean and healthy body. By aiding the body's natural detoxification process, we can effectively reduce our risk of developing diseases linked to the presence of harmful substances in the body including cancer.

Sources
phytochemicals.info
nutraingredients.com
whfoods.com