Science & Nature

Broccoli the lifesaver

By team ⋅ March 27, 2008 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

The Week, 2nd February

Broccoli may prevent heart disease as long as you don’t overcook it. Rats fed with broccoli extracts by a team from the University of Connecticut were found to have hearts which functioned significantly better than those of rats on a normal diet. The effect was only apparent when the broccoli was lightly steamed and encouraged the production of a protein called thioredoxin, which protects damage in heart cells. Broccoli has long been known for its anti-carcinogenic qualities but this is the first study demonstrating its effectiveness in protecting the heart. Researchers will now investigate whether other vegetables of the Brassica family – such as cabbage and brussel sprouts – are similarly effective.