Posted on 01/21/2008 6:57:56 PM PST by blam
How broccoli can reduce risk of a heart attack
By Nic Fleming, Medical Correspondent
Last Updated: 1:42am GMT 22/01/2008
Eating steamed broccoli reduces the risk of a heart attack by boosting the body's ability to fight off cell damage, researchers have found.
Previous studies have found people who eat broccoli, especially if raw or lightly cooked, are at lower risk of heart disease and some cancers.
Now scientists have found a clear link between high levels of certain substances found in the vegetable and reduced damage caused by hearts being deprived of oxygen.
Normal biological processes associated with eating and breathing lead to the generation of highly reactive chemicals called free radicals.
Excessive production of free radicals can harm cells and even trigger cancers. Damage of this type is known to accumulate with age.
But the brassica family of vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, provide antioxidants that prevent the build-up of free radicals.
Broccoli in particular contains sulforaphane, which triggers production of proteins that are part of the body's cardiovascular defence system.
While researchers have long believed antioxidant substances have health benefits, many studies have failed to show an effect.
The new study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, shows a specific mechanism in tests on animals.
Prof Dipak Das, the director of the cardiovascular research centre at the University of Connecticut, fed steamed broccoli extract to rats for one month and measured its effects on their hearts.
Compared with rats on a normal diet, those fed the broccoli extract had improved heart function and less damage when deprived of oxygen.
Prof Das found these effects were caused by the broccoli diet triggering increased production of several proteins that maintain the heart's ability to function healthily.
Prof Das said: "We are increasingly finding that 'redox proteins', which counter the effects of oxidisation, have an important role in the body's defence against heart disease.
"However, if broccoli is over-cooked it loses a lot of its protective effect."
Prof Das's team is investigating whether the antioxidants in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables also play important roles in fighting other diseases.
Maybe Papa Bush has the right genetic makeup that others don’t have. Their bodies need some help. His doesn’t.
I thought I had the perfect balanced diet of healthy foods: red wine and chocolate. I guess I’ll have to add broccoli.
Vile weed!
“While researchers have long believed antioxidant substances have health benefits, many studies have failed to show an effect. “
Well it could be that people who typically eat broccoli simply don’t eat the stuff that is bad for you. There might be little if any protective effect from the broccoli itself, but rather broccoli eating is correlated with a better diet overall. The broccoli eaters might also be more prone to working out, lowering their weight, avoiding cigarettes, etc.
Marge: No desert until you eat your broccoli. [Homer takes some broccoli, chokes on it and dies] [cut to a shot of Dr. Hibbert examining Homer’s body] Hibbert: Mm. Another broccoli-related death. Marge: I thought broccoli was … Hibbert: Oh, yes. one of the deadliest plants on earth. Why, it tries to warn you itself with its terrible taste
Hey, don’t knock flatulators. Farts are man’s cheapest form of entertainment.
I suppose that the rich cheese sauce we cover our steamed broccoli with negates the benefits?
I don't know...I never use a cheese sauce.
I prefer the BROssica family of steak, hamburgers and bratwurst.
Sounds “spectacular.”
Huzzah for cruciferous vegetable lovers! Unite!
Olive oil and garlic, not cheese.
Broccoli Sucks.
Yum. We love anything with olive oil and garlic.
***Eating steamed broccoli reduces the risk of a heart attack***
Unless you have had heart valve replcacment and are on Coumandin. Then Broccoli can thicken your blood and kill you. Too much Vitamin K.
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