Posted on 08/25/2009 9:17:30 AM PDT by nickcarraway
"I'm president of the United States, and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli!" proclaimed George H.W. Bush in a 1990 news conference. America's 41st president disdained broccoli so much that he banned the vegetable from the White House menu.
Now 84, Bush may live to regret his broccoli bullying: New scientific evidence suggests that a chemical in broccoli may rejuvenate the immune system enough to ward off common diseases of aging.
At the University of California- Los Angeles, Andre Nel and colleagues recently discovered that sulforaphane, a phytonutrient in broccoli, activates antioxidant pathways at the cellular level.
Injected into the dendritic cells (immune cells in the skin) of old mice, the sulforaphane flipped on a set of antioxidant genes and enzymes sufficiently to fight free radicals of oxygen to a standstill. The immune responsiveness of the old mice rose to that of young mice in the study. The researchers believe that broccoli may protect the immune system from such common accompaniments of aging as cardiovascular disease, degenerative joint diseases, and diabetes.
The sulforaphane in broccoli and other members of the cabbage family also protects against cancer via another mechanism. In the liver, it induces the production of enzymes that detoxify carcinogenic substances.
Understanding molecular pathways is vital in unraveling the mysteries of aging. But it may be just as wise to reassess the love-hate relationship Americans have with broccoli. The sulfurous aroma it gives off while cooking is an acquired taste for many, but broccoli contains so many traditional nutrients and bioactive compounds that it deserves a high ranking on anyone's must-eat list.
Broccoli has a ripple effect on the body, revitalizing the immune system, the brain, and bones, says dietitian Suzanne Moorse (cq). She believes that Nel's study, published recently in the
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
Yep, canned spinach is the BEST! Need to get some soon.
“Sulforaphane is an anticancer, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial compound that can be obtained by eating cruciferous vegetables such as brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, collards, broccoli sprouts, chinese broccoli, broccoli raab, kohlrabi, mustard, turnip, radish, arugula, and watercress.
“The enzyme myrosinase transforms glucoraphanin (a glucosinolate) into sulforaphane upon damage to the plant (such as from chewing). The young sprouts of broccoli and cauliflower are particularly rich in glucoraphanin.”
Old news—been known for a decade or more.
LOL!!!! I'm forced to buy broccoli even though I'm with GHWB --- because both my husband and my kid LOVE it.
Bleck.
I did, too. Even as a baby. Sill love it...especially raw.
I’m growing kale this year for the first time from seed.
It has these weird mutant leaves on it where, right in the middle of a big flat leaf, all the sudden there’s like part of a leaf sticking out of it.
I’ve seen it occasionally on other plants but not much. Don’t know what the botanical term is for it.
I'm with KeyLargo on this. I grow brussel sprouts because my husband and daughter love them and even fresh off the stalk they are still vile things. I'll eat broccoli first.
Broccoli and cauliflower are the only vegetables I truly hate. I like cabbage and brussels sprouts.
Agreed.
It says other members cabbage family does the same trick? I love Hungarian-style cabbage and noodles, and stuffed cabbage. Mmmmmm.
Broccoli is great, but it must be eaten raw. Cooking ruins it. Cooking ruins peas, too. I eat frozen peas right out of the bag in the summer instead of ice cream. Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and any kind of squash are not edible at all, in my opinion.
Me too! Served with a little cider vinegar on top! MMMMMMMM
I had brussel sprouts every which way and I just can not make myself swallow them. They are the only vegtable I can’t eat. YUCK!
Those of us of a certain generation grew up disliking broccoli and brussels sprouts because our mom cooked them to a soggy mush. I learned to love them when my wife lightly steamed them and added added lemon juice to the brussels sprouts. Broccoli is great raw with a little Ranch dressing or stir-fried with olive oil and fresh garlic. My younger son and I fight over who gets the last brussel sprout.
Asparagus! I’m convinced that eating Asparagus will take my breath away and kill me.
Try this....
Saute in Sesame oil with soy sauce, add browned sesame seeds to the coating...... very good
Take a full head of Cauliflower, cover ir with a mixture of mayonaise, mustard and shredded cheddar cheese.
Zap in the microwave till cheese is melted and the cauliflower is hot.
That’s ok I’ll leave them all for you! :)
It’s one of my favourite vegetables.
Is it still as effective when smothered with melted cheddar cheese?
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