Posted on 12/06/2005 5:40:06 PM PST by blam
You may not like it, but broccoli can beat cancer
By Roger Highfield, Science Editor
(Filed: 07/12/2005)
A variety of "super broccoli" has been grown that may boost protection against cancer, scientists said yesterday.
The variety has higher levels of sulphoraphane and will help the half of the population which lacks a gene that allows the body to retain the protective plant chemical, they said.
Prof Richard Mithen, of the Institute of Food Research in Norwich and the lead scientist on the project, said yesterday: "Eating a few portions of broccoli each week may help to reduce the risk of cancer."
He said half of people appear to get less cancer protection from broccoli because they lack the gene GSTM1.
"Our studies suggest that this may be because if you lack the gene you cannot retain any sulphoraphane inside your body, it is all excreted within a few hours.
"But if you consume larger portions of broccoli, or broccoli with higher levels of sulphoraphane, such as the super broccoli, you may be able to retain as much sulphoraphane in your body as those who have the gene. Broccoli is also a rich source of other vitamins and minerals."
The super broccoli, which has been developed by traditional plant breeding methods, has 3.4 times more sulphoraphane than standard varieties. It has the same taste as regular broccoli and could be on sale "in a couple of years," Prof Mithen said.
Broccoli belongs to the crucifer family of plants which includes the brassicas cabbage, cauliflower and sprouts, as well as the closely related Chinese cabbage and turnips.
Crucifers contain high levels of glucosinolates, which release isothiocyanates - some of the most potent dietary anti-carcinogens known. Sulphoraphane is the main isothiocyanate derived from broccoli.
Although people who lack the GSTM1 gene may get less cancer protection from eating broccoli, it is likely that they will gain more protection from eating other types of crucifers. "So the best advice is to eat a mixture of crucifers," said Prof Mithen.
George Bush senior declared in the White House: "I do not like broccoli and I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. I'm the president of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli." An agriculture lobby then sent several tons to him.
There is nothing like fresh broccoli, right from the garden, microwaved in covered Corning Ware with butter and S&P, cooked while it is still alive.
Except for the year we cooked a huge 6-quart thing of it, and everyone greedily gobbled it up.
All over the bottom, well-cooked, when the broccoli was gone, were little green caterpillars. They were DELIBERATELY the same color as the broccoli.
I don't like thinking about that part.
So much for the Natural Organic BS. Bring on the Sevin!
Mmmmmm.... broccoly mushiness... Mmmm...
"Some football team should be named The Broccoli's."
Ya think? LOL...would love to see the 'Broccoli's' play the Big Blue...GO GIANTS :-)
P.S. I eat broccoli about 4 times a week
Yep, the caterpillars love their broccoli too. Totally concur with you on the folly of organic gardening. First we kill the bugs. But anything taken directly from the garden and into the pot is a divine experience. Man, young potatoes, baby crookneck squash, little limas, new carrots or peas -- nothing you can ever buy will taste like that.
Air prolongs life too. Try going without it for more than five or ten minutes. It's a miracle drug...
The caterpillars probably gave it extra flavor.
YUCK! Reminds me of when I washed swiss chard to death and then after cooking discovered a large yellow worm in there.
My 1-year-old likes broccoli the best. He hasn't been tainted by his peers yet, I guess, about not liking vegetables.
I boil a little water in the bottom of a small pot, put the fresh broccoli in, wait a minute or so, drain the water off and let it sit there with the lid on. Seems to make it nice and tender but still firm enough for kids to dip and what not.
Hmm... broccoli, or cancer...
I can't say which I'd rather have. At least cancer wouldn't leave that dirt-like taste in my mouth for hours afterward.
This is an advantage to being elected POTUS that I had not considered.
Of course, his mother was no longer around when he said it.
I have scientific proof that brocolli causes Prostate Cancer. I ate that weed once and had prostate cancer.
Proof!
The cancer is in remission and I have not eaten brocolli since.
More Proof!
I like broccoli. What's broccolini?
Broccolini is a cross between broccoli and Chinese kale. It tastes a lot like broccoli, but is more tender and looks better on your plate.
What's not to love about broccoli? It's delicious.
Dogs love it.
Just think of all that extra protein you and your guest imbibed! Always think if the positive side:)
Bump for Broccoli recipe!
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