As reported scientists from the UK, broccoli is a great potential to be a cancer-preventing foods because of its natural ingredients has a unique mechanism against cancer.
Richard Mithen, a biologist from the Institute of Food Research, explains, compounds in broccoli may trigger hundreds of genetic changes in the body. In addition, substances in broccoli also activate genes that can fight cancer anddiactivate genes that supplying tumor development.
Previously, there are lot of research evidences that supports the importance of fruit and vegetable diet to reduce the risk of cancer. However, Mithen claims that his research, which was also published in the Public Library of Science journal PLoS One, is the first study in humans that investigated the potential and mechanisms of biological processes. “Everyone advised to consume vegetables, but none could explain why. Our research are able to explain why the vegetable is very good,” said Mithen who led this research.
Prostate cancer is now listed as the second highest killer disease in men after lung cancer. Each year, approximately 680,000 men worldwide are diagnosed with this disease and about 220,000 of them died.
In his research, Mithen and his team involved dozens of men who have precancerous lesions at risk of prostate cancer. Participants were divided into two groups, a group that eat broccoli and a group that eat peas. Every week for one year, this group was given four extra servings of broccoli or peas.
The experts also took tissue samples during the operation of their research and found that men who ate broccoli showed changes in genes that play an important role in the fight against cancer. According to investigators, the same benefits are also likely to be obtained from vegetables from the Cruciferae or Brassicaceae species containing isothiocyanate compounds, such as kailan cabbage, cauliflower, cabbage, arugula, watercress and horse radish (a type of radish).
However, broccoli has a very strong kind of special materials called sulforaphane , which is believed to make green vegetables have an extra weapon antidotes for cancer. “When people have cancer, some genes deactivated and a few others are activated. What do the compounds in broccoli seems to activate genes that prevent the growth of cancer and other deadly gel that make tumors spread,” says Mithen.
He added, broccoli eaters showed 400 to 500 positive genetic changes in the body, in which men who have similar gene called GSTM1 obtain maximum benefit from broccoli. Recorded that half of the population carry the genes of this type.
Researchers did not observe any further participants to see who ultimately suffer from cancer. However, this finding supports the idea that by eating more vegetables each week can provide a big change for health.
Mithen indicates that important compounds in this vegetable is also likely to provide the same benefits for the other organs and can even protect from many types of cancer. “You do not need to change your diet, just need more servings of vegetables to make a big change.”
